How many crocodilian species are there?

How many crocodiles are there in the Philippines?

Out of the 13 different crocodile species, 6 has been listed as Least Concern, 2 have been listed as Vulnerable and 5 have been listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Of all of these species, the Philippine crocodile is by far the most at risk with less than 200 individuals estimated to remain in the wild.

Are there crocodiles in Palawan?

In mangrove-rich Palawan, residents are advised to steer clear of crocodile habitats as the hatching season makes the reptiles more aggressive. There are two crocodile species in the Philippines: the endemic Philippine crocodile and the bigger and more aggressive saltwater crocodile, found throughout Asia and the Pacific.

What are the characteristics of the Philippine crocodile?

The Philippines crocodile is one of the smaller crocodile species measuring up to 3m (10ft) long. Females come in slightly smaller than males. Males may weigh up to 190kg (420lb) with females only reaching around 90kg (200lb). In this species the snout is quite broad. They have heavy dorsal amour.

What makes an animal a reptile?

Remember what makes an animal a reptile: they must be vertebrates, cold-blooded, covered in scales or plates, and lay eggs. Crocodiles have a backbone, making them vertebrates. Crocodiles are also cold-blooded. Cold-blooded animals cannot regulate their body temperature internally, which makes their temperature variable in their environment.

Are there any crocodiles in the Philippines that are traded?

Luckily harvesting for the skin trade has mostly stopped though some captive individuals are still traded. The Philippine crocodile is also known as the Mindoro crocodile. Until recently the Philippine crocodile was classed as a subspecies of the New Guinea crocodile.

How many crocodiles are in the Philippine population?

The population of Philippine crocodiles has been recorded to number just 92 to 137 individuals and continues to reduce. A number of captive breeding projects are being conducting in hopes of restoring the population. Since 2001 this species has been given legal protection within its natural range.

Where can you see saltwater crocodiles?

This saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is kept at the Palawan Wildlife Rescue and Conservation Center near Puerto Princesa, Palawan, the Philippines. Image by David Stanley from Nanaimo, Canada, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.

How many endemic reptiles are there in Palawan?

The forests of Palawan serves as a haven for 24 endemic reptile species including the 2 meter long Palawan monitor lizard. The Palawan monitor lizard is a monitor lizard that is endemic to Palawan.

How many crocodile species are there in the Philippines?

There are two crocodile species in the Philippines: the endemic Philippine crocodile and the bigger and more aggressive saltwater crocodile, found throughout Asia and the Pacific. Crocodile attacks on humans have increased in recent years, which experts attribute to the encroachment of houses within crocodile habitats, particularly mangrove swamps.

What is the history of the Philippine crocodile?

The Philippine crocodile was first described in 1935 by Schmidt, but for decades was considered a subspecies of the New Guinea crocodile. It has been recognized widely as a separate species only since Hall’s 1989 paper.

What are the characteristics of the Philippine crocodiles?

Philippine crocodiles are amongst the most endangered of the freshwater crocodiles. Small, with relatively broad snouts, on their backs they have thick bony plates. They have between 66 and 68 teeth which regularly fall out, to be replaced by new ones. Their golden brown color darkens as they grow. The females are a little smaller than males.

How many teeth does a Philippine crocodile have?

Philippine crocodiles are amongst the most endangered of the freshwater crocodiles. Small, with relatively broad snouts, on their backs they have thick bony plates. They have between 66 and 68 teeth which regularly fall out, to be replaced by new ones. Their golden brown color darkens as they grow.

Are crocodiles in the Philippines a cultural problem?

A Cultural History of Crocodiles in the Philippines: Towards a New Peace Pact? Crocodiles have an image problem in the Philippines. In mainstream Filipino society crocodiles are considered dangerous man-eaters, and compared with corrupt government officials or selfish basketball players.

What is the color of the Philippine crocodile?

Philippine crocodiles are golden-brown in color, which darkens as they mature. The Philippine crocodile has been extirpated in Samar, Jolo, Negros, Masbate, and Busuanga.

Are there crocodiles in the Philippines?

The Philippine crocodile was previously found across many of the islands which make up the Philippine’s. Records of the species exist from Luzon, Mindoro, Masbate, Samar, Jolo, Negros, Busuanga and Mindanao.

What are the different types of reptiles in the Philippines?

The Philippine crocodile, Philippine flying dragon, emerald skink, Philippine common cobra, Philippine pit viper, Philippine shrub snake, etc., are some of the native reptilians of the Philippines.

Can captive breeding save the Philippine crocodile?

These crocodiles live in freshwater environments. The decline of the Philippine crocodile was brought about through hunting for their skins, persecution due to a perceived threat and entanglement in fishing gear. Captive breeding projects provide hope for their survival.

What is the conservation status of the crocodile?

Conservation status. Crocodylus mindorensis is considered to be the most severely threatened crocodile species in the world, listed as critically endangered by the IUCN. A population estimate of 100 non-hatchling individuals underlines the critical status of the species.

What are the characteristics of Palawan lizards?

It has greyish lores, its eyes appear large and dark and it has place orange throat that grades into brighter orange as it goes down to its breast while its lower breast and its belly is white in color. There are nearly 60 terrestrial mammal species recorded in Palawan, 33% of which is endemic to the Philippines.

How many invertebrates are there in the Philippines?

Invertebrates About 70 percent of the Philippines’ nearly 21,000 recorded insect species are found only in this hotspot. About one-third of the 915 butterflies found here are endemic to the Philippines, and over 110 of the more than 130 species of tiger beetle are found nowhere else.