At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The Cuban crocodile is a small, agile, brightly patterned crocodile found only in Cuba. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
It is one of the most terrestrial and behaviourally distinctive crocodiles.
Range & habitat
Two swamp areas of Cuba.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- A tiny range
- Hybridisation with American crocodiles
- Past hunting
Why it matters
A small, charismatic crocodile confined to a couple of Cuban swamps, the Cuban crocodile is a flagship for Caribbean wetland conservation.
Sources
Sources for Cuban Crocodile
- IUCN Red List — look up Cuban Crocodile (authoritative status)
- Animal Diversity Web
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes the Cuban crocodile unusual?
It is relatively small but agile and alert, can move well on land, and has bold colouring and behaviour that set it apart from larger, more sluggish crocodiles.
Why is the Cuban crocodile Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite its very small range, hybridisation with American crocodiles, and past hunting. See the IUCN Red List for the current assessment.
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