Orinoco Crocodile

The Orinoco crocodile can be recognised by its relatively long snout, which is narrower than that of the somewhat similar-looking American crocodile. This species generally has a pale tan hide, though at least three coloration variations are known, with some almost completely yellowish, and some a dark brownish-gray. The skin can change colour over long periods of time; this phenomenon has been recorded in other species that can gradually change the amount of melanin in their skin. These crocodiles have dark-brown markings, which present as more pronounced bands in younger specimens and as scattered markings on mature ones. One individual measuring 3.4 m (11 ft 2 in) and weighing 182 kg (401 lb) had a bite force of 6,276 N (1,411 lbf).

Size. The Orinoco crocodile ranks among the largest living reptiles, as well as the largest predator in the Americas. It is arguably, on average, the largest crocodilian in the Americas; while American crocodiles, black caimans and the American alligator may approach similar dimensions, the Orinoco crocodile may be (or had been, when in healthy numbers) slightly longer. …

This species is restricted to the middle and lower reaches of the Orinoco river basin in Venezuela and Colombia. They have been occasionally reported on the island of Trinidad, but this has not been confirmed, and witnesses may have mistaken an American crocodile for the rarer species. This crocodile was once thought to have inhabited a wide range of riparian habitats, from tropical forests to the streams of the Andes foothills. Today, this species is restricted to the Llanos savanna and associated seasonal freshwater rivers.

Little study has gone into the dietary biology of Orinoco crocodiles but from eye-witness accounts and partial studies from captivity and crocodile farms, the majority of the Orinoco crocodile's diet appears to consist of large fish. The species' relatively narrow snout is ideally suited to minimize water resistance in capturing such aquatic prey. Juveniles prey on invertebrates and small fish, while large individuals prey on fish, terrestrial vertebrates and birds. Despite having a rather elongated skull, its base snout is wide, hinting to a generalist diet. Additionally, as they age, mature males in particular appear to manifest a broadened snout, presumably due to a shift to being able to take larger prey as is seen in several other large crocodile species. It stalks both aquatic and terrestrial prey. Prey includes South American tapirs, redtail catfish and large adult green anacondas. Similar to many of the larger crocodile species, the Orinoco crocodile has also been observed catching and eating smaller species of crocodilians, such as adult common caimans and sometimes cannibalizing smaller individuals of its own kind. Attacks on humans have been reported, but this is highly unlikely to be a common behavior today, given the very small population of the species and its relative isolation from large human settlements. …