Spice the Cuban crocodile lives in our Crocodile Swamp exhibit here at Paignton Zoo.
The Cuban crocodile has the smallest known distribution of any living crocodilian, only found in the wild in the Zapata Swamp (mainland Cuba) and the Lanier Swamp (Isla de la Juventud).
They will eat fish, crustaceans, gastropods, small reptiles, birds and mammals including feral pigs and dogs.
Interesting facts!
- Cuban crocodiles are equally at home on land or in water, being strong swimmers as well as competent at walking and jumping.
- The scientific name of the Cuban crocodile, Crocodylus rhombifer, refers to the rhombus shape of its beautiful, speckled scales.
- Both females and males become reproductively active at about 1.5m long and bodyweights of about 15 kg in captivity.
- This species constructs a mound for laying eggs. Hatching usually takes place in August and early September.
Conservation
There is thought to be only around 3,000 to 5,000 individuals remaining in the wild today. Threats are habitat loss due to agriculture, competition with the American crocodile, hybridisation diluting the species, and being hunted for their skin. These impressive reptiles are among the rarest and most threatened crocodiles in the world, and so their populations in captivity are of great importance.
Only three zoos in the UK have Cuban crocodiles.