The Cuban crocodile is a critically endangered species found only in Cuba. They typically grow to 2-3 meters in length and weigh 70-80 kg, hunting small mammals, fish, birds, and turtles. Cuban crocodiles have reduced webbing on their feet, armored scales, and use their tails to knock out prey or predators. They mate from May to July and females lay 40-50 eggs, with hatching occurring from August to September. Their habitat is being lost due to hunting and hybridization with American crocodiles, making them one of the most endangered crocodilian species.

1. AUTECOLOGY OF CUBAN
CROCODILE
PRESENTED BY: ZOYA SHAHID
PRESENTED TO: MA’AM ZAIRA AHMED

2. 2.1 – 2.7 meters (9 - 10 ft) length.
70 - 80 kg weight depending on daily nutrition.
Reported max 3.5 meters (11 ft) and 215 kg.
A brightly colored body and long strong legs.
‘Pebble’ like scales within a vibrant black yellow
pattern.
Ectothermic (cold-blooded) animal
66-68 teeth
White gleaming eyes.
Armored scales,
Reduced webbing feet
Strong tail with black bands

3. Rare specie
Now only in Cuba's Zapata Swamp & Isle of Youth
Fossils from the Cayman Islands, the Bahamas and
the Dominican Republic.
Habitat is freshwater regions (swamps, marshes and
rivers).
Aquatic invertebrates and small terrestrial mammals
Hunt different kinds of prey
Adults prefer freshwater turtles, fish and other small
mammals
JUVINILE on arthropods, gastropods like apple snails
and small fish
Freshwater crustaceans, feral pigs and birds

4. Don’t really have predators besides poachers and illegal
traders in the wild.
Rarely attacked(lunges aggressively if feels threat).
Itself deadly predator in the wild.
Blunt rear teeth(break hard tortoise shells).
Strong feet for jumping and catching prey.
Tail to knock out a prey or a predator .
Tails to hit the trunks of large trees(prey catching).
Sensitive issue.
Scientists suggest that they live as long as 75 years.
No more than 12 – 20 years unless kept in captivity.

5. Polygynous;
Mate in May till July(favorable for nesting).
Incubation period is in between 60-70 days
The quantity of eggs depend on age of mother
Older females yield average number of 40 – 50 eggs.
Hatching period is in august till early September.
Eggs are app. 5 – 7.6 cm in length with weight of 112 g.
The gender completely depends upon the temperature
of the nest .
30 – 32 degree Celsius a male crocodile is born
If the temperature is < 30, or > 32◦C a female is born.

6. Habitat loss
Illegal hunting and hybridization
Hunting for the pet trade market and for its meat
A team of Cuban & Canadian researchers came
across a bizarre phenomenon in the wild – the
Cuban found breeding with American crocodiles.
The species is represented in captivity in Europe,
the united states, and in at least one zoo in India,
Two famous Cuban crocodiles reside in the Skansen
Aquarium in Sweden

7. Most critically endangered crocodile species within the
crocodilian family.
Make use of their tails, marked with darkened bands.
The age can be determined by the dark color of its iris or
a sample of part of its scales.
The scientific name Crocodylus rhombifer preferred
directly to the rhombus shape of its speckled scales.
High walk as have reduced webbing.
Able to hunt down animals that live in trees by using tail
Max length about 3.8 m and weight about 215 kg.
Prefers freshwater over saltwater.

8. Cuban crocodile have many distinct characters. They are
somehow similar to American alligators.
They are not prey of other animals but are affected by
man activities. However itself they are deadly predators.
Highly endangered specie among all other species . For
conservation they are kept and allowed to breed in
captivity.
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