Animals On Earth: India, Asia, China, Hawaii, And Madagascar

Cuban Crocodile

The Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer) is a small-medium species of crocodile endemic to Cuba. 

They can also leap from the water, using powerful tail thrusts below the surface, to catch birds and arboreal mammals from overhanging tree branches. At the Zoo, the crocodiles eat croc pellets, rats, rabbits and occasionally fish.

The crocodile can gallop at speeds of 24.1–35.4 km (15 to 22 miles) per hour, and adults have been observed leaping from the water to snatch birds and mammals from overhanging branches.

Cuban Crocodiles have very stocky, powerful legs that enable them to gallop at reasonable speeds for short distances. At the same time, their tails can propel them from the water perhaps better than any other crocodilian species today.

They are found only in Cuba's Zapata Swamp in the southwest and Lanier Swamp on Isla de Juventud. Their historical range also included the Cayman and Bahaman islands. Cuban crocodiles prefer freshwater marshes and swamps similar to those of the Everglades. They rarely swim in saltwater.

Size. Adult Cuban crocodiles can generally grow up to 10.5 feet (3.5 meters) long, with males growing larger than females. Bigger individuals have been found in the past but are now rare.