Cuban crocodile faces the threat of extinction 

While the world continues to battle climate change, hundreds of florae and fauna become endangered, and some even face the threat of extinction. For instance, in 2021 the ivory-billed woodpecker, deemed as the ‘weaver’ was declared as extinct. It was particularly native to the bottomland hardwood forests and temperate coniferous forests of Cuba and parts of southern USA. Recently, another critically endangered (declared by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature in 2019) and endemic species of crocodile belonging to the same region was feared to be on the verge of extinction. Can you guess the name of the reptile? We are talking the Cuban crocodile.  

Introducing the Cuban crocodile 
The Cuban crocodile is a medium-sized species that is native in two swamp habitats of Cuba: the palm-speckled Zapata and the Isle of Youth. Earlier it was also found along the Caribbean near the Cayman Islands as well as the Bahamas. The adults of this species have a typical length of 7.5 feet and can weigh 70 to 80 kilograms. It also has other physical traits that sets it aside from other crocodiles, such as brighter shades, rougher and more pebbled scales and strong and long legs. Despite its size, it is deemed as a highly aggressive animal with a potential to harm humans.  

The current threat to Cuban crocodiles 
Cuban researchers have recently revealed that the Cuban crocodile stands on the edge of extinction considering it now has the smallest natural habitat among all surviving crocodile species. No wonder they are battling hard to save this rare reptile before it’s too late.  

In case you are wondering what forced the Cuban crocodile towards the brink of extinction, there are primarily two factors: Illegal hunting followed by hybridisation with American crocodiles. As you can possibly guess, hybridisation often leads to altering of genetic makeup of the original species, thus endangering their population. Moreover, global warming has also posed an additional threat to their survival by changing the sex ratio of the new-borns.  

Scientists are now fearing that if there is any climate-change induced natural disaster in and around the Cuban crocodile’s very limited habitat, it can totally wipe them out in a blink. In order to fight a potential extinction of the exotic reptile, the Cuban government has introduced a hatchery programme that is soon expected to release hundreds of new-borns into the wild. They have also put control measures in place to tackle the unlawful sale of crocodile meat.  

Cuban crocodile is of high interest to biologists: Here’s why 
Cuban crocodiles have long been on the radar of biologists not only for their critically endangered status but also for their unique physical and behavioural characteristics. For instance, they are the most terrestrial among all existing crocodile species, even though it prefers freshwater habitats. In addition, Cuban crocodiles have also often displayed both pack-hunting and cooperative hunting behaviours suggesting they are one of the most intelligent crocodile species and also prefer to stay united, unlike other species.