FaunaHub
CRCritically EndangeredPartial review

Philippine Crocodile

Crocodylus mindorensis

Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis), a small freshwater crocodile.

Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).

Image: NasserHalaweh, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

At a glance

IUCN category
CR · Critically Endangered
Animal group
Reptiles & Amphibians
Population trend
Decreasing
Last verified

Conservation overview

The Philippine crocodile is a small freshwater crocodile found only in the Philippines. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.

It is one of the most threatened crocodilians, with very few left in the wild.

Range & habitat

Freshwater wetlands of the Philippines.

Major threats

Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.

  • Past killing and persecution
  • Habitat loss
  • Entanglement and a tiny population

Why it matters

A small freshwater crocodile found nowhere else, the Philippine crocodile is a flagship for changing attitudes toward crocodilians and protecting Philippine wetlands.

Gallery

A Philippine crocodile resting.

Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis).

Image: Julia Sumangil, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

Sources

Sources for Philippine Crocodile

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the Philippine crocodile dangerous to people?
It is a relatively small freshwater crocodile and far less dangerous than the large saltwater crocodile; community-based conservation has worked to reduce fear and killing.
Why is the Philippine crocodile Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite past killing and persecution, habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, and a very small population. See the IUCN Red List.

Last updated: