Tickets & Memberships

Tickets & Memberships Day Tickets Memberships Educational Visits/ Group Tickets Experiences Zoo Map Customer login

Online Shop & Experiences

Online Shop Experiences Adoptions Memberships Merchandise Gift Vouchers

World of Animals

World of Animals Cats Large Mammals Small Mammals Primates Reptiles & Invertebrates World of Birds Farmyard Experiences Adoptions

Dinosaurs & Attractions

Dinosaurs World of Dinosaurs Dinosaurs at our Zoo Adopt a dinosaur Attractions Tumble Jungle Boulders beach Rex Express Train Safari Adventure Golf Play Areas Feeds, talks & shows National Speedway Museum

Conservation & Education

Conservation & Education Education Our charity at Hertfordshire Zoo The Big Cat Sanctuary, Our Sister Charity What We Do What You Can Do Donate Volunteer Conservation Partners Sustainability Heroes Grants

Need to Know

Need to Know... Accessibility & Additional Facilities FAQ's Finding us & Opening times Visiting Food Outlets at Hertfordshire Zoo Zoo Map About Us Work at Hertfordshire Zoo! Work Experience & Research Shows & Talks Meet our Trustees & Ambassadors Volunteering Opportunities Location & Filming enquires Risk Assessments Contact us

News & Socials

News & Socials Articles Facebook Instagram YouTube TikTok Twitter Contact PR

Events

Events All events

EN10 7QA

01992 470490

info@hertfordshirezoo.com

Sign-in

Big Cat Sanctuary

Contact

West African Dwarf Crocodile

The West African dwarf crocodile is one of the world's smallest species of crocodile, growing up to 1.8 metres in length.

They're currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

Least Concern
Near Threatened
Vulnerable
Endangered
Critically Endangered
Extinct in the Wild
Extinct

West African Dwarf Crocodile

The West African Dwarf Crocodile can be found throughout Western and Central Africa and is currently listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This classification is due to the increasing habitat loss being experienced through amplified logging and poaching within the areas populated by this species.

They create their burrow habitats within the mangrove swamps, rainforests and slow-moving rivers and are mostly active at night. Like all crocodiles, the dwarf crocodile utilises special glands in their tongues to remove excess salt. They are solitary night hunters, primarily feeding on fish and shellfish and occasionally taking on smaller terrestrial prey situated near the banks of the water.

Meet Cletus

Our West African dwarf crocodile Cletus, born in September 2012, has become a big presence here at Hertfordshire Zoo, with many visitors drawn to her stillness and pre-historic looks.