Creature Feature – Philippine Crocodile
This week is the letter ‘P’, and today’s featured creature is the Philippine Crocodile. The Philippine crocodile, also known as the Mindoro crocodile, is one of two species of crocodiles found in the Philippines; the other is the larger saltwater crocodile.
Taxonomy
Scientific Name: Crocodylus mindorensis
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Order: Crocodylia
Family: Crocodylidae
Genus: Crocodylus
Philippine Crocodile Fact File
Size: Adults can reach a length of up to 3m and weigh up to 90kg
Distribution: This species can be found in just a few locations within the Philippine archipelago with key populations located on just two of the islands
Diet: Juveniles eat invertebrates such as dragonflies, shrimps, snails, as well as small fish and amphibians. As they grow, the prey base increases to include large fish, pigs, dogs, civet cats, snakes and water birds
Behaviour: This species rest in the sun during the day to warm up and like other species, they will open their mouth to release heat. They are able to float on the water’s surface and to control their buoyancy they will ingest stones
IUCN Status: Critically Endangered. It is estimated only between 92 and 137 mature wild individuals remain. Top threats include habitat use by local people, persecution of crocodiles in the Philippines, and entanglement in fishing nets
