Morelet's crocodile
| Family | Crocodylidae |
|---|---|
| Genus | Crocodylus |
| IUCN category (World) | LC |
Introduction
Crocodylus moreletii, commonly known as Morelet's crocodile, is a little fresh water and brackish water reptile from the Central America.
Who is it?
Morphology
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Size3 - 4.5 cm
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Mimicryplants
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Size3 - 4.5 cm
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Mimicryplants
How to recognize This reptile ?
The Morelet's crocodile measures around 3 cm. The dominant males can however reach 4.5 cm. This reptile is unicolore with a predominantly noir and gris body.
Sexual dimorphism
The adult male is bigger than the female.
Behaviour & Life cycle
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Sociabilitysolitary
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Way of livingdiurnal
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VenomousNo
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Dietpredator
The Morelet's crocodile hunts in the stalk and is one of the predators of its biotope. Opportunistic, it does not hesitate to attack any smaller animal nearby.
The Morelet's crocodile is a reptile solitary naturally found in the vegetation. This species is carnivorous . Measuring only a few centimeters, this small species tends to be discreet and hide in the presence of larger neighbors.
The Morelet's crocodile is a territorial animal that does not tolerate any incursions into its living area. It is particularly virulent against other territorial species and it can provoke heated fights. In a constant quest for dominance, the dominant males of this species cannot stand each other. The battle between two individuals can be intense and violent. It will result in the submission and sometimes even death of one of the protagonists.
Reproduction
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Reproductionovipare
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Clutch size0 - 0 eggs
The Morelet's crocodile is a reptile ovipare.
Life-threatening species
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VenomousNo
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BiteYes
This species can attack if it feels threatened. It is important to be particularly vigilant especially during dives or fishing sessions. In the most serious cases, it can cause death.
Origin and distribution
What is its habitat?
Natural environment characteristics
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Temperature24 - 30 °C
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FlowSlow and Stagnant
Biotope presentation
The acidification of water comes from the decomposition of plants. This phenomenon changes the color of the water, which tends to turn brown. In some areas particularly rich in organic matter, the water is so dark that it is called "black water".
The Morelet's crocodile is most often found at a depth between 0m and 3m. However, it is not impossible to find this species at other depths. This animal evolves in areas characterized by a strong presence of vegetation (aquatic and marsh plants, decaying organic matter, roots...). It is particularly observed near clusters of leaves or plants where it finds food and shelter in case of danger.
The soil is generally composed of sand.
To go further
Espèces du même genre
To read on the web
Sources & Contributions
Participation & Validation
The Fishipedia team and specialist contributors are committed to providing high-quality content. However, although the information comes from scientific sources or testimonials from specialists, the cards may contain inaccuracies.
Benoit Chartrer
Translation
Translation done with the valuable contribution of our translators, who make this information available to a wider audience. We sincerely thank them for their commitment.
Scientific partners
Same genus
