These foods are eaten along with frogs, Ageing, And Life History. Find out more, Please Note: We would remind you to please be mindful of the current government and public health recommendations before planning your visit. [5][8] Other countries where found include Mauritania, Benin, Liberia, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Niger, Cameroon, Chad, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Equatorial Guinea, Senegal, Mali, Guinea, Gambia, Burkina Faso, Ghana, Gabon, Togo, Ivory Coast and Republic of Congo. [13] Mauritanian traditional peoples who live in close proximity to West African crocodiles revere them and protect them from harm. [online] Available at: [Accessed 26 June 2020]. The African dwarf crocodile is a carnivore. Young African dwarf crocodiles have many predators as listed above but the main threat to an adult crocodile is humans. West-African crocodile threats include hunting by humans for bush meat trade, revenge killings or being seen as pests. niloticus). The Nile crocodile typically prefers large seasonal rivers in savannah or grassland, while the West African crocodile generally prefers lagoons and wetlands in forested regions, at least where the two species may come into contact. (Crocodylus niloticus). The ear can be covered by a flap. [5] As late as the 1920s, museums continued to obtain West African crocodile specimens from the southern Nile, but today the species has disappeared from this river. They have a streamlined body that enables them to swim faster. Over 34.5 degrees C the hatchlings will be female. Mecistops cataphractus (Cuvier, 1825) Range: Western Africa Habitat: Tropical Rainforest,Shallow Rivers, Wetlands, Coastal Lagoons Diet: … [9], The people of Ancient Egypt worshiped Sobek, a crocodile-god associated with fertility, protection, and the power of the pharaoh. If the nest is 31.7 degrees C the hatchlings will be female. Yep! Here the crocodiles live in apparent peace with the humans, and are not known to attack swimmers. Dwarf West African Crocodile - Fun Facts And Information For Kids. African Dwarf Crocodile. African Dwarf Crocodile habitat: The African Dwarf crocodiles often found across the tropical regions of Sub-Saharan West Africa and Central Africa. Toronto Zoo | Animals. In comparison, the slender-snouted crocodile typically occupies rivers within forest interiors, while dwarf crocodiles are distributed in smaller rivers (mainly tributaries), streams and brooks also within forested areas. The African dwarf crocodile has a body covered with tough scales, called osteoderms to help defend against predation. During the dry season their food intake will decrease. Priests were aware of the difference between the two species, C. suchus being smaller and more docile, making it easier to catch and tame. 2020. [15] A study in 2015 that included sixteen captive "Nile crocodiles" in six US zoos (almost 25% of the "Nile crocodiles" in AZA zoos) found that all but one were actually West African crocodiles. The young crocodiles free themselves from the egg using their egg tooth on their nose. [online] Available at: <, http://www.torontozoo.com/animals/West%20African%20dwarf%20crocodile, https://genomics.senescence.info/species/entry.php?species=Osteolaemus_tetraspis, https://www.folly-farm.co.uk/zoo/meet-the-zoo-animals/dwarf-crocodile/, https://kids.sandiegozoo.org/animals/african-dwarf-crocodile. By using our site you accept that use.