Cuban crocodile at Paignton Zoo, Devon
Class: Reptiles
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Order: Crocodilia
Family: Crocodylidae
Two Cuban crocodiles have a home here at the zoo – mature female, Spice and younger female, Lois.They both reside in our Crocodile Swamp exhibit!
The Cuban crocodile has the smallest known distribution of any extant crocodilian, only found in the wild in the Zapata Swamp (mainland Cuba) and the Lanier Swamp (Isla de la Juventud).
They will eat fish, crustaceans, gastropods, small reptiles, birds and mammals including feral pigs and dogs.
Conservation
There is thought to be only around 3,000 to 5,000 individuals remaining in the wild today. Threats are habitat loss due to agriculture, competition with the American crocodile, hybridisation diluting the species, and being hunted for their skin.
Only three zoos in the UK have Cuban crocodiles. Paignton Zoo is the studbook holder for this species.