The West African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) is a medium-sized crocodilian, notable for its very long, slender snout. This species is relatively poorly known with few studies of the wild populations.
Slender-snouted crocodile
The genus name Mecistops is most probably derived from the Ancient Greek words μήκιστ (mēkist) meaning "longest" and ὄψις (ópsis) meaning "aspect" or "appearance".
Distribution and Habitat
The slender-snouted crocodile was initially thought to be distributed across West Africa and into Central Africa. However, studies in 2014 and 2018 revealed that the Central African species is distinct and has been reclassified as the Central African slender-snouted crocodile (M. leptorhynchus).
This species prefers to live in heavily forested rivers and wetlands.
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Physical Characteristics
As with its relative, the West African slender-snouted crocodile has a very long, slender snout that it uses to catch fish and small aquatic invertebrates. They are a medium-sized crocodilian reaching maximum lengths around 4 meters and averaging around 3 meters. These crocodiles are relatively slender compared with some other species, and their most notable feature is their very slender snout.
Diet and Feeding Habits
As with all crocodilians, larger animals may feed opportunistically on larger prey if it becomes available. The wild diet consists mainly of fish, although this species has been observed to eat small mammals, birds and turtles. Young animals primarily eat invertebrates and fish.
Behavior
Slender-snouted crocodiles are generally shy and reclusive. They are considered one of the most vocal of all the crocodilians.
Reproduction
Females nest at the beginning of the wet season and may lay over 15 eggs in mound nests constructed of leaf litter and other debris.
Conservation Status and Threats
Consequently, it was rated as Data Deficient by the IUCN in 1996. This species has suffered declines in the wild due to development and human encroachment into the forested wetlands it occupies. It is also a target for the bushmeat trade. As a single species, the crocodile was already listed as critically endangered in the IUCN Red List, threatened mainly by hunting, overfishing (the crocodiles feed on fish) and habitat loss.
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This species has suffered heavy population declines, especially the western clade.
“Recognizing the slender-snouted crocodile as actually comprised of two different species is cause for great conservation concern,” Shirley said in a statement. “We estimate only 10 percent of slender-snouted crocodiles occur in West Africa, effectively diminishing its population by 90 percent.
African slender-snouted crocodiles (Mecistops spp.) are the least-known crocodile species, and our estimates suggest that fewer than 500 adult West African slender-snouted crocodiles (Mecistops cataphractus) are left in the wild. We now recognize M.
Conservation Efforts
We aim to ensure the survival of the Critically Endangered West African slender-snouted crocodile through scientific research, capacity building and support of West African national partners. Our work with Mecistops cataphractus is ensuring the future of this species by captive breeding and reintroduction, activities which bring this Critically Endangered crocodilian into the spotlight in West Africa and underscore the importance of our work developing the technical capacity of our local government partners to manage this species in the wild.
Our work with Mecistops cataphractus is ensuring the future of this species by captive breeding and reintroduction, activities which bring this Critically Endangered crocodilian into the spotlight in West Africa and underscore the importance of our work developing the technical capacity of our local government partners to manage this species in the wild.
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Crocodilians are charismatic megafauna that act as key species in aquatic habitats and serve as indicators in ecosystem monitoring and restoration programs. Throughout history, crocodilians have been both revered and persecuted, perhaps more so than any other faunal group. From a conservation perspective, they are widely regarded as flagship species that mobilize wetland conservation efforts around the world.
Table: Key Facts About West African Slender-Snouted Crocodile
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Scientific Name | Mecistops cataphractus |
| Habitat | Forested rivers and wetlands in West Africa |
| Diet | Fish, small mammals, birds, turtles, invertebrates (for young) |
| Size | Medium-sized, up to 4 meters |
| Conservation Status | Critically Endangered |
| Threats | Hunting, overfishing, habitat loss |
Taxonomic Revision
The critically endangered slender-snouted crocodile is not one but two species, a new study has found. While the West African crocodile continues to retain its original name Mecistops cataphractus, the Central African species has been named Mecistops leptorhynchus.
The description of M. leptorhynchus makes it the first new living crocodile species to be named and detailed in more than 80 years.
As two species, the slender-snouted crocodiles are smaller in numbers and are at greater risk of extinction. At first glance, the slender-snouted crocodiles living in Lake Tanganyika in Central Africa look very similar to the ones in the Gambia River in West Africa. But the larger differences lie in their DNA.
The two species seem to have diverged some 6.5 million to 7.5 million years ago, coinciding with the formation of a chain of volcanoes along the border region between Cameroon and Nigeria, which likely acted as a biogeographic barrier.
Distribution of Mecistops leptorhynchus
Shirley, M. H. et al (2018) Systematic revision of the living African Slender-snouted Crocodiles (Mecistops Gray, 1844). Zootaxa.
Crocodile expert Matthew Shirley poses with juvenile Central African slender-snouted crocodiles.
