African dwarf crocodile

[Bottomfeeder2]

I got to see the "good stuff" behind the scenes at someone's facility today... this is one of the coolest things I got to see. (And hold!)

I believe this is Osteolaemus tetraspis tetraspis. This is the smallest living crocodile, rarely attaining lengths of over four and a half feet but occasionally up to six feet in length. There isn't much known about their conservation status, but the IUCN lists them as a threatened species. Additionally, their taxonomy is also under debate.

This guy was small, but he had a mouthful of teeth and he was ready to spin around and bite at any chance he got.

 

[Rbishop]

So it would take several to make a bunch of belts?

 

[Bottomfeeder2]

It might take more than there are left in the wild.

Actually, the keeper explained to us that because they're so small, their skin is very thin, so they aren't hunted for leather. They are, however, hunted for food by the locals. >>

 

[monicatetra]

adorable！are efforts underway to breed more of them？

 

[monicatetra]

adorable！are efforts underway to breed more of them？