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Slender-snouted Crocodile

(Crocodylus cataphractus)

 

Category: Reptiles

 

 

These crocodiles inhabit freshwater ecosystems in central and western Africa. Their narrow snouts are adapted to a diet consisting primarily of fish, snakes, amphibians, and crustaceans. Recent DNA evidence indicates that the central and western populations may actually be separates species that have been separated for 6.5-7.5 million years.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slender-snouted_crocodile

http://www.sci-news.com/biology/science-african-slender-snouted-crocodile-two-species-01640.html

 

Data & Facts

Scientific Classification
Kingdom - Animalia
Phylum - Chordata
Class - Sauropsida
Order - Crocodilia
Family - Crocodylidae
Genus - Mecistops
Species - M. cataphractus

 
Did you know?
Interesting Animal Facts

The not-a-snake

The slow worm has a long body, lacks limbs, and is covered in lustrous scales - so is it a snake? No, it is a lizard! Because unlike snakes, the slow worm has eyelids, visible ears, and like many lizards, its tail can break off in the mouth of a predator, allowing them to escape for another day. The slow worm belongs to the Anguidae family, and similarly (but independently) lost their limbs to better adapt to their environments. These “not-snakes” can be found in gardens throughout Europe and the UK, helping to control the population of slugs and other pests, though you probably won’t see any if you have a cat: a slow worm will likely prove a favorite food of your cat!

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