Saharan desert crocodile

Saharan desert crocodile

We congratulate Ingrid Försch on her fourth sponsorship!

The Saharan desert crocodile(Crocodylus suchus) is a small relict population of the West African crocodile and belongs to the family of true crocodiles (Crocodylidae). It is found in West Africa, between Mauritania and Chad.

The Saharan desert crocodile looks confusingly similar to the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus). However, it actually belongs to the West African crocodile. The only recognisable differences are the significantly smaller size of no more than 2.5 m and the morphology of the skull. For this reason, the two species were long regarded as one and the same species. It was only through genetic analyses of modern-day Nile crocodiles and mummified West African crocodiles that it was possible to prove that they were two completely different species.

The habitat of the Saharan desert crocodile is oases and spring water reservoirs in dry desert and rocky landscapes. Here it feeds on various vertebrates such as fish, frogs, birds and various lizards. From time to time it can also prey on livestock such as young goats, sheep and cows.

The Saharan desert crocodile was long thought to be extinct in Mauritania. It was only rediscovered at the turn of the millennium by various expeditions, including by scientists from the Museum Koenigs in West Africa, which was a scientific sensation at the time.

The population of the Saharan desert crocodile cannot be estimated at present, but is probably highly endangered. In addition, the population is fragmented into many small individual populations, which makes population conservation even more difficult. The greatest threats are hunting by locals and habitat destruction.