Crocodile of Cuba

The crocodile of Cuba is a species being able to reach the 3,5 meters length, of the individuals of 5 meters were announced. It is very similar to Crocodylus acutus . It is today only with Cuba. Its presence formerly seems certain on the islands Caïmans and the Bahamas.

Biology

He attends fresh water and supports salt water rather well. The adults drive out mainly Poisson S and tortoise S; with the occasion, it attacks small Mammifère S.

Conservation

The current populations are weak: 3.000 to 6.000 individuals. It is the species of crocodile most threatened of the Nouveau World. The programs of protection and of breeding carried out as of years 1950 allowed an improvement of its manpower but the future of the species remains always problematic. He suffers in particular from the exogenic introduction of species like the Caiman crocodilus fuscus as well as poaching and destruction of his habitat. Moreover, knowledge on its ecology and its biology is too fragmentary to initiate programs of reintroduction.

One of the cattle-breeding farms obtained the agreement of the Cites for the marketing of the skins. But these breeding led to the appearance of hybrid which, once slackening in nature, also constitutes a threat on the future of the species. The insulation strict of the hybrids was suggested to avoid the genetic pollution of the species.

Etymology

The name of the species, rhombifer , seems to evoke the shape of the sides of the animal.

External bond

Site in English devoted to the crocodiles.

Zh-yue: 古巴鱷

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