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Cuban crocodile
You can find our 18-year-old female, Spice, in Crocodile Swamp.
Class:
Reptilia
Order:
Crocodylia
Family:
Crocodylidae
About the Cuban crocodile
The Cuban crocodile is one of the world's rarest crocodilian species and is found only in the freshwater wetlands of Cuba. It inhabits swamps and marshes, where it feeds on fish, reptiles, birds, and small mammals. With its broad snout, powerful jaws, and long legs, it is one of the most agile crocodile species.
Unlike many crocodiles, Cuban crocodiles spend more time on land and are known for their intelligence and inquisitive behaviour. They have even been observed hunting cooperatively, making them one of the most fascinating and distinctive members of the crocodile family.
Conservation
The Cuban crocodile is one of the most threatened crocodilian species in the world. Wild populations are restricted to small areas of Cuba, where habitat loss, hybridisation with American crocodiles, and illegal hunting continue to threaten their survival.
International breeding programmes and habitat protection are helping to conserve this unique species, with accredited zoos playing an important role in maintaining healthy assurance populations.