Details
Crocodylus rhombifer
The Cuban crocodile is a long-legged crocodilian endemic to Cuba. It is famous for terrestrial agility, explosive lunges and unusually complex behavior.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
Its modern range is centered on Cuba's Zapata Swamp and Isla de la Juventud. It uses freshwater marshes, swamps, estuaries and brackish lagoons.
Adults reach about 210-350 cm and 70-215 kg. Long strong limbs, rugged scales and bold black-and-yellow patterning give it a distinctive look.
It moves well on land as well as in water. Adults are generally solitary, though captive observations show coordinated and flexible behavior.
It preys on fish, turtles, birds and mammals. Fossil evidence suggests its ancestors also hunted terrestrial island mammals.
Females lay eggs in soil or vegetation nests and guard the young. As in other crocodilians, incubation temperature affects sex ratios.
The species has a tiny range, and hybridization with American crocodiles is a concern. Captive breeding helps, but wild populations remain restricted.
