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Crocodilian Extinction Facts
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Extinction Facts
A crocodile is any species belonging to the family Crocodylidae,
sometimes classified as the subfamily Crocodylinae. The term can also
be used more loosely to include all extant members of the order Crocodilia;
i.e. true crocodiles, alligators, caimans and the gharials, as well
as prehistoric crocodile relatives and ancestors.
Member species of the family Crocodylidae are large aquatic
reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas
and Australia. Crocodiles tend to congregate in freshwater habitats
like rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water. They feed
mostly on fish, reptiles and mammals, and sometimes on invertebrates.
They are an ancient lineage, and have changed little since the time
of the dinosaurs. They are 250 million years old, whereas dinosaurs
became extinct 65 million years ago; crocodiles survived the great extinction
events.
Salt water crocs have learned to adapt to new habitats
and know how to deal with most weather conditions. Facts about saltwater
crocodiles show that there is still a lot to learn about these animals
and seeing them in real life is an unforgettable experience.
There are many reasons that most species today are still
considered endangered. Seven species are critically endangered, and
nearly all are imperiled in some part of their range.
People have long considered crocodiles vermin or a dangerous
nuisance. For this reason, crocodiles have been hunted to extinction
in some places, particularly as people encroach on crocodile habitat.
The American alligator was targeted as a problem animal and wiped out
in many areas in the southern United States. After European colonization
of Africa, the governments of many countries paid a high bounty for
every crocodile killed in order to make the countryside safer for people
and grazing cattle. The large Nile crocodiles were also sought after
as sport trophies for hunters on safari.
The primary threat today to all 23 species of crocodilians
is overexploitation.
Indigenous peoples probably have used crocodile hides for thousands
of years with little impact on populations. The dangerous levels of
exploitation came with the rise in demand for crocodile leather in European
countries. The rarest crocodilians are the caiman which are highly sought
after for their beautifully patterned skins.
Up until recently, an estimated million caimans were
killed illegally every year to make wallets, shoes, handbags, and belts.
With rising demand, hunters turned to more lethal methods. Using high-powered
rifles, spotlights, and power boats, hide-hunters have pushed many species
to the edge of extinction.
Although hides have the highest commercial value, crocodiles
are also killed for their meat and other parts. Wherever they occur,
crocodile meat is a part of the diet of local people. In addition, many
cultures seek crocodile oil or fat for medicinal use. In Madagascar,
crocodile oil is prescribed for a wide variety of complaints, including
burns, skin ulcers, and cancer.
Crocodile fat is important in Asian medicines for treatment
of asthma. Similar uses have been reported in South America and in the
Caribbean islands of the Dominican Republic and Haiti.
Its small size and nocturnal habits have been the saving
grace of the dwarf crocodile until now. The dwarf crocodile has not
been exploited as heavily as the larger Nile crocodile, which basks
in the sun and is easily hunted by day. As more accessible species become
scarce, however, poaching pressure shifts to species that are harder
to catch.
Habitat loss continues to threaten crocodiles, most notably
by drainage and filling of wetlands and diversion of water for irrigation.
Crocodiles also have been pushed out of former homes by growing cities
and farms on the shores of lakes and rivers.
Since 1973, every species of crocodile has been protected to some degree
under CITES. Although poaching is still a problem, it has been greatly
reduced. Wetlands conservation is crucial to crocodile survival. Their
habitat must be protected in order to save many crocodilian species.
In order to curb the illegal poaching, alligator and
crocodile farms have been created. As a result of high prices for skins
and meat, these farms are fairly successful in many places in the world.
They do not yet produce enough animals to meet demand, and they continue
to impact wild populations when farms collect wild adults and eggs to
replenish their breeding stock. But farms can also give local citizens
an economic incentive for tolerating crocodiles around their villages
and for conserving crocodile habitat.
In Papua New Guinea, villagers used to raid crocodile
nests and eat the eggs. Today, for each egg taken to a crocodile farm,
the villagers are paid the equivalent of $1.50 and given hen's eggs
to feed their families, instead.
Because of industry policing policies and selective purchasing
by the leather-tanning industry, legal skins could be worth up to two
times as much as illegal skins. Hopefully, if the value of illegal crocodile
products drops low enough, poaching will stop. But let us not forget
that some crocodilians are still extinct.
The Terrible Crocodile (Deinosuchus hatcheri) is believed to have measured
up to 40 feet and weighed up to 9 tons. Its overall appearance was similar
to its smaller relative, the alligator. It is now extinct.
The Super Croc (Sarchosuchus), was almost twice as long
as the modern Saltwater Crocodile and weighed approximately 10 tons.
Fossils were found in the Sahara Desert. It is extinct.
The Beak Crocodile (Rhampusuchus crassedens), is a relative
of the modern Gharial and False Gharial. Paleontologists estimate that
it reached an estimated length of 50-60 feet long. It is extinct.
The Giant Caiman (Purusaurus), was estimated at around
39-40 feet by paleontologists. Giant Caiman lived in South America,
8 million years ago. Fossils were found in the Amazons. It is extinct.
All crocodiles are carnivores, and except in the case
of the largest crocodilians, such as the salt water crocodile of Australia
and New Guinea, humans are rarely a prey item. Crocodilians are known
to prey upon domestic animals, though.
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