Reptile – Page 3 – See Animals Wild

African Nile Crocodile

Nile crocodile

The Nile crocodile is spread widely throughout sub-saharan africa (except for parts

of South Africa, thought to be natural and not due to hunting). A suggested subspecies is found in western Madagascar, there are 7 such subspecies, though none have been officially recognized.

While it was originally thought to be the same species as the western African crocodile (confusing given its range), it has actually been found to be closer related to various crocodiles from the Americas, particularly the American crocodile. As such, parts of the map above may actually host west African crocodiles exclusively.

The Nile crocodile is considered the second largest on earth, only beaten by the saltwater crocodile of Asia, interestingly, interestingly the saltwater crocodile is also the only crocodilian that has a greater range than the African crocodile. It was thought that the crocodile had arrived on Madagascar in the last 2000 years – after the extinction of the endemic Voey crocodile, but recently a skull was found and dated to be 7500 years old, suggesting that they must have coexisted for millennia.

While rarely venturing into the sea, they can (like all true crocodiles) survive here, and one was found alive 11 miles off the South African coast in the past.

They have been found in the Florida Everglades, presumably after an illegal introduction – there is so far no evidence of them successfully breeding here. It is unclear of their origin or where they came from, though they are genetically most similar to crocs from South Africa.

While they usually only dive for a few minutes at a time, they are capable of holding their breath for 30 minutes of activity under water – impressively, those inactive under water can stay down for around 2 hours. While rapid and effective hunters in the waters and along its edge, they are far less capable away from the water, and it is rare that they hunt away from water, having said this they are known to hunt here, and are incredibly adaptable to any opportunity. They have a surprisingly small stomach, only the size of a basketball.

Only around 10% of eggs will hatch and around 1% will survive to adulthood. Certainly, much of this damage is down to the Nile monitor lizard, which is thought to be responsible for as much as 50% of the eggs on its own, though median sized cats, baboon troops and mongooses all attack crocodile nests with regularity. Once born, crocodiles are even more at risk, both from animals already mentioned, as well as virtually every predatory water bird, from storks and egrets to even pelicans. Unfortunately, the biggest threat are other adult crocodiles which will happily eat young. While the mother does stay around, and aggressively protects her young, there are so many animals trying to snag a meal, many of the young crocodiles are caught during this time.

The biggest threats include loss of habitat, pollution, hunting, and human activities such as accidental entanglement in fishing nets.

Current estimates are around 250,000 to 500,000. In some parts of Africa they are farmed for their hide (their meat is unpleasant).

Their population is less healthy in western and central Africa, being more sparsely spread. This also makes it hard to do an accurate assessment of their status in this part of Africa.

Along with the saltwater crocodile, the African nile crocodile is estimated to kill anywhere from hundreds to thousands of people each year, with attacks generally carried out by larger crocodiles (thought to be over 3.5m). Given the numbers, it is thought that nile crocodiles and saltwater crocodiles are the most successful hunter of humans – far more fatalities than great while sharks. One study suggested, that while the danger of lions was well known, there was a bizarre feeling that crocodiles were not dangerous. The numbers may well be down to the fact that crocodiles live in water – a place where humans are forced to go regularly.

Below this is a list of any articles released on this site, which mentions the Nile crocodile. Below this, is a video of the species, and below this, we will add links of places to see this species, though if you visit wild places, all savannahs listed on the site will have nile crocodiles.

Chinese Alligator

Other names include the Yangtze Alligator, Chinese alligator or historically the Muddy dragon. It grows to between 1.5m and 2.1m, and weighs 36-45kg. In winter in Brumates (a form of hibernation) and is generally nocturnal in summer. It is restricted to 6 regions of the province Anhui, with possible small populations in possibly the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang.

Originally having a far larger range, which stretched as far as Japan, but starting in 5000BC various threats started to reduce their range and numbers – the biggest being habitat destruction. In 1970 only around 1000 remained, and fell to 130 in 2001. However, after 2003 the population started growing again and is currently estimated at around 300. Despite this improvement, it is still listed as critically endangered, and much work is still underway to protect its future. There is strong evidence to suggest that the Chinese alligator is the source of the Chinese dragon idea.

The earliest fossil, which looks like the current animal, was found in Japan and dates from around 3 million years ago.

The Chinese alligator once ranged across most of China. However, today this species is largely restricted to a 433 square kilometre reserve in the Anhui province of the lower Yangtze. At this point, the alligator’s geographic range has been reduced by 90%.

In 1998 it reached its smallest population size with a total population not greater than 150. As of 2018 it was not considered declining, though if it is to recover it must find space in one of the most populous countries. China lists it as class one endangered, while CITES has listed it as appendix one, and the IUCN lists it as critically endangered since 2017. In 1982 the Anhui National Nature Reserve for Chinese Alligator was created, which spanned all its remaining territory. This reserve covers 75 square miles (180 square km).

As of 2016 there are 20,000 in captivity, meaning that while their wild population is pretty precarious, there should be many for reintroduction if something should wipe them out in the wild.

There have been several attempts to create second wild populations for these Alligators with limited success, but these may grow into sensible backups over time.

The Chinese alligator – critically endangered in the wild yet with tens of thousands captive members

Tim
February 24, 2021

These animals were covered during the BBC wild China series a few years ago, and as such a relatively poorly known but highly important animal which plays an important part...

American Alligator

The American Alligator is found throughout Florida and the South east of the USA. It is considered low risk/ least concern by IUCN and Appendix ii on CITES (allows trade, but keeps track of status so that trade can be restricted or curtailed if the wild population becomes threatened). They generally grow to 3.4-4.6m in length.

In the past, overhunting was a problem and the species was threatened with extinction. In 1967, it was listed as endangered, as it was considered at risk of extinction in part of its range. Both the United states fish and wildlife service and wildlife services in the area, helped to save the species, and in 1987 it was removed from the endangered species list. It is listed under CITES appendix ii, so trade is allowed but carefully monitored and controlled. They are more capable of surviving in cold water than the American crocodile, being able to survive in 7 degree water for some time.

Indeed, in the northern part of their range, they are capable of surviving in water that is freezing at the surface. They put their nose out of the water, so they can breathe and enter a mode called Brumation, and they can then remain still for at least several days. In places like the everglades, they change their habitat, creating so called Alligator ponds, and are therefore considered keystone species.

They have been regularly spotted using lures to tempt in birds, showing simple tool use, making them among the first reptiles to be noted doing so. They put suitable nesting materials on their head, and then grab the bird when it comes to access the materials on offer. They have been seen eating sharks and rays; four incidents documented indicated that bonnetheads, lemon sharks, Atlantic stingrays, and nurse sharks are components of the animal’s diet. This is not a one way street, with sharks also predating alligators. Generally as young, they feed on various species found in water, with the prey size increasing as they do. Adults can take boar and deer on occasions. They have even (while rare) been seen to predate and eat bobcats. Oddly, they are not pure carnivores, having been noted to eat fruits and other vegetation from as many as 46 genera being consumed. They have also been seen cooperatively hunting – suggesting a reasonable level of intelligence.

They are the most vocal of non-avian reptiles, making a variety of noises. They have regularly been seen to live to 50, with an estimated possible lifespan of around 70 years. Males reach sexual maturity at around 11.6 with females getting their at 15.8. Males appear to stop growing at around age 43 while females do so at 31 (originally it was thought that they never stopped growing.

20-50 eggs are laid (around the size of a goose egg. They are covered in vegetation, which helps warm the eggs while it decays. Sex is decided based on temperature, resulting in location of the nest being important as to the balance of sex. The mother stays close by to protect her nest, and to help dig them out when they hatch. Once hatched she will carry them to water and then guard them until they have grown a certain amount. At that point she becomes aggressive to them, causing them to head off on their own and the whole process starts again. Two invasive species are found in their habitat Nutra (coypu) and Burmese pythons. While these species have both become well established, it appears that the American Alligator is essential to stop them expanding their range or increasing in number. While rare, attacks on humans do occur, although this is almost always found to be mistaken identity. There have been 257 documented attacks on humans in the last 50 years, or about 5 a year, and only 23 resulted in death, so this is a relatively low proportion.

Alligator wrestling does occur as a sport, and was started by tribes, before Europeans arrived. This remains popular, despite animal rights protests.

They are farmed in Georgia, Florida, Louisiana and Texas for their hide, with around 45,000 hides harvested a year. A hide sells for around $300.

Their wild population is thought to number around 5 million.

Below, is a video of this species, and below that is a list of any mentions it has had on this website (if any, as yet). Below this, we will add any links to places where this species can be seen in the wild.

Environmental and political stories from the US in recent times

Tim
March 9, 2024

On this post, I will list a group of articles on North American politics and stories. It is unfortunately a fact, that, no matter what your position is on American...

Smooth-fronted caiman

The smooth fronted caiman is found in the Amazon and Orinoco Basins in South America, including Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela. It is found in small streams in forests, often in places where it is not deep enough to fully submerge. It rarely moves into the open and does not bask in the sun (even in captivity

Due to its skin having boney scutes (this is abony external plate or scale overlaid with horn). Other animals with this include turtles on their shells, as well as birds on their feet. In Guyana they are taken for the pet trade, but as with various other species, the biggest threat is destruction of their forest home, and pollution of their river homes due to gold extraction further up stream.

IUCN lists it as least concern, while CITES has it on appendix ii which is aimed to control the quantity of the species harvested, to stop a further slide towards extinction. At the current time, the wild population is thought to exceed 1 million.

Cuviers dwarf caiman

Also known as Dwarf Caiman or Cuvier’s Smooth-fronted Caiman, its range is shown to the left. Males grow to 1.6m, and females 1.2m, though males in the Pantanal have been seen over 2m.

The population is thought to be over 1 million. They are considered least concern and listed on CITES appendix 2.

Habitat destruction and pollution are the greatest threats – activities such as gold mining, are capable of poisoning the river for significant distances around.

Black Caiman

Black caimen

The black caiman is found over quite an area (see map) and is considered low risk – but also conservation dependent, suggesting that its status could change fast with the wrong regulations. It is thought to have a population of greater than 1 million. It was once considered common, but was hunted to near extinction (for its skin), before rules allowed its recovery. Current threats include low level hunting by local people, (though this is thought sustainable provided no further pressure) habitat loss due to deforestation and increased competition from Spectacled caiman which are making a comeback.

It is found throughout the amazon basin. Generally occurring in shallow, freshwater habitats such as slow-moving rivers, streams and lakes, though found to ventures into flooded savannah and wetlands as well.

They grow up to 5m which makes them large compared to many other caiman species. Being black gives it fantastic camouflage when hunting which usually occurs at night, though it may also allow better absorption of heat.

We will add any links to the bottom of the page, below the video and the list of articles on this subject. If you work in tourism or hospitality, or conservation of this species, we would be interested in hearing from you. Join us as a member, allowing you to list your destinations on our site (we work on commission so it cost nothing to be listed), or as a researcher/conservationist so that you can add news on this species to this website.

Yacare caiman

The yacare caiman, which is also commonly know as the jacare caiman, paraguayan caiman, piranha caiman, red caiman and southern spectacled caiman. Generally eating fish snails and occasionally snakes, they have been known to take Capybara. When small they are predated by birds such as storks.

In the 1980s they were destined for extinction, due to overhunting (their hide is more usable than other species. Brazil banned their hunting in 1992, and by 2013 they had largely recovered, with around 10 million in the Pantanal alone.

This ICUN listed this species as least concern in 1996. It has been listed as threatened in the US fish and wildlife services since 2000. As of 2010 CITES lists it as appendix 2 species on CITES (allows some trade – but is meant to come with some controls, which mean that the harvesting remains sustainable, and does not push the species towards extinction). The current estimates are around 200,000 populations size in the wild.

Broad-snouted caiman

Broad-snouted Caiman

Found in eastern and central South America, including the Southeast of Brazil, northern Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, and Bolivia. It is generally found in still or slow-moving water, located in freshwater marshes, swamps, and mangroves and will readily use man-made cow ponds.

Generally, growing to 2-2.5m, males have been recorded 3.5m in length. In captivity, they have been found to weigh 23-65kg as adults, though large males of 2.6m usually exceed 80kg.

Relying on external temperature to regulate its body temperature. They feed on small invertebrates, and can crush shells to eat turtles and snails. As they grow they increase the number of birds fish amphibians and reptiles that they will eat as well.

Hunting started in the 1940s, as its skin is valued for its smooth texture. Thankfully, hunting has been banned in most countries and numbers are recovering. It is considered endangered.

The population is estimated at 250,000-500,000.

Spectacled caymen

Spectacled caiman

Spectacled caiman are are also known as white caiman, common caiman and even speckled caiman.

The diet of the spectacled caiman includes crabs and snail in the wet season, while it will eat fish in the dry season. Larger members will regularly consume mammals as well. Analysis of stomach content, has shown that more than 50% also regularly consume grass and seeds.

They can make 9 different sounds to communicate, along with 13 visual displays that have been recorded. Females grow to a length of 1.2m while males grow to 1.4m. It has been introduced into Cuba Puerto Rico and Florida (where it is often mistaken for alligators.

The populations is estimated to be in the millions with Venezuela housing 4 million alone (though numbers are not this high in every country, with Peru only hosting one area that is suitable). Initially not hunted due to bumps in its skin, as the crocodile population declined it has started to be hunted, however, due to the hunters generally targeting large males which largely protects the population. In areas where they have been introduced, the effect is thought to be negative, with the Cuban crocodile population reducing as a result. They have also replaced the black caiman in parts of the Amazon.

It is currently listed as least concern, though 2 subspecies are on the CITES Appendix 2 and one on Appendix 1.

Crocodilians

Crocodilians are a family of species found in the Tropics of the Americas, Africa Asia and Australia. They live in or near water – rivers, lakes, wetlands and even salt water.

Generally, they are apex predators in their ecosystems with no natural predators. Having said this, as with every species, humans hunt them, and in many places this has pushed them close to the brink of extinction.

In the current age, there are 24 species, spread across 3 families and 8 genus. We also have a photo gallery with many ways to filter the crocodilians and this is at the bottom of the page click here to jump to it

So taking the genus in order

Caimenae is the sub-family, sitting below Aligatoridae (Alligatoridae being one of two clades in Crocodilia_. There are 3 genus

Caimen – A line of crocodilians that inhabit central and south America,

Specticaled caymen

Broad-snouted caiman by Tim Sagorski

Yacare caiman paul williams

Melanosuchus The black caimen is the only known living species from this Genus, and is found throughout the Amazon basin

Black caiman by Bernard Dupont

Paleosuchus is a south American group of Caimen

Cuviers dwarf caimen

Smooth-fronted caimen

The only other family below Alligatoridae, is the subfamily of Alligatorinae.

This includes only two species

American Alligator Chinese Aligator

American Alligator

Chinese aligator

Longirostres is the other clade to make up the Crocodilia family. The first sub- family is Crocodylidae

This contains 3 genus with the first being Crocodylus which is the family of true crocodiles.

This includes 14 living species as well as 5 known only from fossils (we will not discuss these fossil specimens in this page)

African nile crocodile

American crocodile

Borneo crocodile

Cuban Crocodile

Fresh water crocodile

Halls new guinea crocodile

Moreletts crocodile, Bernard Dupont

West African crocodile

The second genus is Mecistops which is the slender snouted crocodiles, with only 2 species

Central african slender snouted crocodile

Western slender snouted crocodile

The last (third) genus is Osteolemus

African dwarf crocodile

Osborn dwarf crocodile

The other sub -family is Gavialidae which includes 2 genus includes Gaviolis and Tomistona. Which we will deal with together as each only has one living species.

Gharial

False Gharial

Crocodile gallery – Filter and export