African dwarf crocodiles, once assumed to be a single species, are now believed to represent two separate species. Despite their diminutive size, these crocodiles have a rich evolutionary history that dates back over 20 million years when they diverged from their closest relatives, the slender-snouted crocodiles. With their maximum length rarely exceeding 1.5 meters (4.9 ft), African dwarf crocodiles are among the smallest crocodilians in the world.

These crocodiles inhabit a variety of freshwater and brackish habitats across West Africa, including mangrove swamps, rainforests, and slow-moving rivers and streams. Their predominantly nocturnal habits see them spending much of the day resting in burrows or concealed within dense vegetation along the water’s edge, emerging under the cover of darkness to hunt and forage for food. Despite their small size, African dwarf crocodiles play a significant ecological role within their ecosystems, contributing to nutrient cycling and maintaining balance within aquatic food webs.

However, African dwarf crocodiles face numerous threats to their survival, primarily driven by human activities. The widespread hunting of these crocodiles for bushmeat and commercial trade poses a significant challenge to their populations, with their meat being highly valued and sought after in local markets. Additionally, habitat loss and degradation due to deforestation, urbanization, and agricultural expansion further exacerbate the pressures on these species, leading to habitat fragmentation and dwindling population numbers.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Angola

1996

Benin

1996

Burkina Faso

1996

Cameroon

1996

Central Af. Rep.

1996

Congo-Brazzaville

1996

Côte D’ivoire

1996

DR Congo (Kinshasa)

1996

Gabon

1996

Gambia

1996

Ghana

1996

Guinea-Bissau

1996

Guinea

1996

Liberia

1996

Nigeria

1996

Senegal

1996

Sierra Leone

1996

Togo

1996

Uganda

1996

Presence Uncertain, Origin Uncertain