Dwarf Crocodiles

The Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis), also known as the African dwarf crocodile, broad-snouted crocodile (a name more often used for the Asian mugger crocodile) or bony crocodile, is an African crocodile that is also the smallest extant (living) species of crocodile. Tropical areas of Sub-Saharan West Africa and Central Africa are home to dwarf crocodiles. Such a range overlaps significantly with that of the slender-snouted crocodile, extending as far west as Senegal, as far east as Uganda, and as far south as Angola. The species, which is often ignored, was last seen in Uganda in the 1940s, but it is unknown if it still exists there (it was always marginal in this country, only occurring in the far southwest).

Although it is one of the most terrestrial crocodilian species and may spread the feeding pattern to land in extensive forays, especially after rains, foraging is primarily done in or near the water. As generalist predators, dwarf crocodiles have been observed consuming a variety of small species, including fish, crabs, frogs, insects, insects, lizards, aquatic birds, bats, and shrews.