Orinoco crocodile facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Orinoco crocodile |
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| Orinoco crocodile in the Newport Aquarium | |
| Conservation status | |
| Scientific classification | |
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Crocodylus
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| Species: |
intermedius
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| Range (green) | |
The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is a very special and rare type of crocodile. It is considered critically endangered, which means there are very few of them left in the wild. These amazing reptiles live only in the Orinoco River and the smaller rivers that flow into it, called tributaries, in South America. In the past, many Orinoco crocodiles were hunted for their valuable skins. This made their numbers drop very low.
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About the Orinoco Crocodile
The Orinoco crocodile is one of the most endangered types of crocodiles on Earth. It is a very large crocodile. In the past, some male crocodiles were reported to grow up to 6.8 meters (about 22 feet) long! That's longer than a school bus.
How Big Are They?
Today, Orinoco crocodiles do not usually grow as large as they once did. The biggest males might reach about 5.2 meters (17 feet) in length. A large male today might be around 4.1 meters (13 feet 5 inches) long and weigh about 380 kilograms (840 pounds). That's as heavy as a small car! Female crocodiles are smaller. The biggest females usually weigh around 225 kilograms (496 pounds).
Where Do They Live?
Orinoco crocodiles live only in the Orinoco River basin. This river system flows through parts of Colombia and Venezuela in South America. They prefer to live in freshwater environments, like rivers, lakes, and swamps. They are well-adapted to life in these warm, tropical waters.
Why Are They Endangered?
The main reason the Orinoco crocodile is critically endangered is because of hunting. In the 19th and 20th centuries, many crocodiles were hunted for their skins. These skins were used to make things like bags and shoes. This hunting caused their population to drop dramatically. Today, other threats include habitat loss and pollution. Conservation efforts are now in place to protect these amazing animals.
Images for kids
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Orinoco crocodile in Villavicencio, Colombia
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Orinoco crocodile's head
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See also
In Spanish: Cocodrilo del Orinoco para niños
