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West African Dwarf Crocodile

The West African dwarf crocodile is one of the world's smallest species of crocodile, growing up to 1.8 metres in length.

They're currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

  • Least Concern
  • Near Threatened
  • Vulnerable
  • Endangered
  • Critically Endangered
  • Extinct in the Wild
  • Extinct

West African Dwarf Crocodile

The West African Dwarf Crocodile can be found throughout Western and Central Africa and is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This classification is due to the increasing habitat loss being experienced through amplified logging and poaching within the areas populated by this species.

 They create their burrow habitats within the mangrove swamps, rainforests and slow-moving rivers and are mostly active at night. Like all crocodiles, the dwarf crocodile utilises special glands in their tongues to remove excess salt, allowing them to live within saltwater habitats. They are solitary night hunters, primarily feeding on fish and shellfish and occasionally taking on smaller terrestrial prey situated near the banks of the water.

Meet Cletus

Our West African dwarf crocodile Cletus, born in September 2012, joined us on the 17th of August and our zookeepers are happy to say he’s settled into his new home comfortably. Make sure you book your tickets to come and visit Cletus the fantastic West African Dwarf Crocodile in our Temple of Angkor here at Hertfordshire Zoo!

Key Facts

Family:
Crocodylidae
Diet:
Insects, crabs, and amphibians but will also consume fish, small mammals, and reptiles.
Life Span:
They can live up to 75 years!
Number of Young:
Females can lay up to 20 eggs in the nest mound.
Distribution:
West Africa
Habitat:
Rainforests, swamps, and slow-moving rivers of West Africa.
Length:
5 feet long
Did you know?
Dwarf crocodiles can climb trees and can sometimes be found in the lower branches!

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Feed a Big Cat
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Meet the Red Pandas Experience – 2024 SOLD OUT
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Shadow a Zookeeper Experience
Mini Zookeeper Experience
Junior Zookeeper Experience
Feed a Big Cat
Meet the Meerkats
Meet the Red Pandas Experience – 2024 SOLD OUT
Wolf Encounter
Feed the Lemurs
Sloth Experience
Tickle a Tapir
Shadow a Zookeeper Experience
Mini Zookeeper Experience
Junior Zookeeper Experience

Events

Sun bear, Binturong & Otter weekend
Sun 26th May 2024
Summer Evenings at the Zoo
Sat 1st June 2024
Dine for Wildlife Charity Ball
Sat 6th July 2024
Tiger Weekend
Sat 27th July 2024
Bird Weekend
Sat 3rd August 2024

News

Goodbye Aleena
Fri 19th April 2024
Summer Evenings at the Zoo!
Tue 16th April 2024
Endangered Red Panda Tilly Passes Peacefully
Thu 11th April 2024
5 Must-Do activities this Easter
Fri 5th April 2024
One Zoo Three meets & greets this Easter!
Fri 5th April 2024

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