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Cuban Crocodile



         


Cuban Crocodile
Status: Endangered
Scientific classification
Domain:Eukaryota
Kingdom:Animalia
Subkingdom:Metazoa
Phylum:Chordata
Class:Reptilia
Order:Crocodylia
Family:Crocodylidae
Genus:Binomial name
Crocodylus rhombifer
Cuvier, 1807

The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is a small species (8 feet average length) native only to Cuba's Zapata Swamp, and highly endangered, though it formerly ranged throughout the Carribean, possibly even into Florida.

This species has numerous interesting characteristics that set it apart from other crocodilians, such as it's brighter adult colors, rougher, more 'pebbled' scales, and long, strong legs. This species is the most terrestrial of crocodiles, and also possibly the most intelligent. A colony of this species at Gatorland, Florida has also exhibited what is strongly suspected to be pack-hunting behavior, which has prompted much interest in the species, usually kept singly and especially so after such reports.





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