Orinoco crocodile

species of reptile

The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is a critically endangered crocodile. Its population is small. It only lives in the Orinoco river and its tributaries. It was hunted for its skin in the 19th and 20th centuries. This species is one of the most critically endangered crocodiles.

Orinoco crocodile
Orinoco crocodile in the Newport Aquarium
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Domain: Eukaryota
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Genus: Crocodylus
Species:
C. intermedius
Binomial name
Crocodylus intermedius
Graves, 1819
Range (green)

It is a large crocodile. In the past, males have been reported up to 6.8 m (22 ft 4 in) in length. Today, males do not grow up to such sizes. 5.2 m (17 ft 1 in) is the maximum size. A big male today may reach 4.1 m (13 ft 5 in) in length and can weigh 380 kg (840 lb). Females are smaller with the biggest likely to weigh around 225 kg (496 lb).[2]

References change

  1. Balaguera-Reina, S.A.; Espinosa-Blanco, A.; Antelo, R.; Morales-Betancourt, M. & Seijas, A. (2018). "Crocodylus intermedius". IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. 2018: e.T5661A3044743.
  2. Balaguera-Reina, S.A.; Espinosa-Blanco, A.; Antelo, R.; Morales-Betancourt, M. & Seijas, A. (2018). "Crocodylus intermedius. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)