Peterborough’s Riverview Park & Zoo has announced its latest additions: two West African dwarf crocodile hatchlings.
The smallest true crocodile species, the West African dwarf crocodile can reach 1.6 metres (5.2 feet) in length. In comparison, the largest crocodile species — the saltwater crocodile, which is also the largest reptile on the planet — can reach lengths of more than 6.5 metres (23 feet).
West African dwarf crocodile hatchlings are typically 28 centimetres (11 inches) long and grow quickly. The young crocodiles eat worms, insects, tadpoles, and small fish. As adults, they eat fish, crustaceans, crabs, insects, amphibians, birds, small mammals, snakes, and lizards.
The West African dwarf crocodile is native to the tropical lowland regions of sub-Saharan and west central Africa, from the southern tip of Senegal in the north to the Democratic Republic of the Congo in the east and down to a small region of northern Angola in the south. They frequent densely vegetated swampy ponds, slow moving rivers and streams, and occasionally savannah pools.
As compensation for its small size, the West African dwarf crocodile has an aggressive temperament, with a thick body covering of heavily armoured scales protecting it from injury. The species has a life span of up to 75 years.
The Riverview Park & Zoo is Canada’s only free-admission accredited zoo. For more information about the West African dwarf crocodile along with the zoo’s 40 other species, and to support the zoo through donations, visit www.riverviewparkandzoo.ca.
