At a glance
- IUCN category
- CR · Critically Endangered
- Animal group
- Reptiles & Amphibians
- Population trend
- Decreasing
- Last verified
Conservation overview
The slender-snouted crocodile is a fish-eating African crocodile with a very narrow snout. It is assessed as Critically Endangered.
Its slim jaws are suited to catching fish in forest rivers.
Range & habitat
Rivers and forests of West and Central Africa.
Major threats
Threats below are drawn from the authoritative sources listed on this page. For the current, complete assessment, see the IUCN Red List.
- Hunting and bycatch
- Habitat loss
- A declining population
Why it matters
A specialised fish-eating crocodile of African forest rivers, the slender-snouted crocodile is a flagship for protecting those waterways.
Sources
Sources for West African Slender-snouted Crocodile
- IUCN Red List — look up West African Slender-snouted Crocodile (authoritative status)
- reptile-database.reptarium.cz
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does the slender-snouted crocodile have such a narrow snout?
Its slim, elongated jaws are adapted to swiftly catching fish in water, much like the gharial's, reducing resistance as it snaps sideways.
Why is the slender-snouted crocodile Critically Endangered?
Published assessments cite hunting and bycatch, habitat loss, and a declining population across West and Central Africa. See the IUCN Red List.
Last updated: