Stump crocodile

Stump crocodile

We are delighted that Ingrid Försch has taken on the sponsorship of the blunt-nosed crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis).

This rather small crocodile with a particularly short, blunt snout is barely 2 metres long and is found in the rainforests of West and Central Africa, from Senegal via Cameroon and Gabon to the north of Angola. While it leaves the large rivers of these regions to its larger relatives, the Nile crocodile and the carapace crocodile, the blunt-snouted crocodile has specialised in life in the small waters of the rainforest. Even in the pond-like waters of the forest's flood zones, it can reach a fairly high density of individuals. Accordingly, it also feeds on smaller prey such as frogs, small mammals, but also crabs and snails. Unlike its larger relatives, it is also nocturnal and can therefore rarely be seen sunbathing.

Like all crocodile species, this species also breeds. In contrast to other armoured lizards, however, it is the male that guards the nest built from rotting plant material with the eggs developing in the fermentation heat, and then the hatched offspring. Despite paternal care and strict protection under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), the snub-nosed crocodile is highly endangered. The reasons for this are, on the one hand, land grabbing and habitat destruction due to the clearing of rainforests and, on the other hand, its popularity as "bushmeat" among the local population. Stump crocodiles are regularly offered for consumption in the countries of origin, including along the roads.

The original of our sponsored animal lived for many years in the reptile zoo at Drachenfels in Königswinter before it died a natural death. As a permanent exhibit, it now serves to make our visitors more aware of the endangerment of its rainforest habitat.