{"id":27922,"date":"2023-05-04T15:00:14","date_gmt":"2023-05-04T13:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.discoverwildlife.com\/?p=76629"},"modified":"2023-05-04T15:35:46","modified_gmt":"2023-05-04T13:35:46","slug":"whats-the-smallest-crocodile","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/bbcwildlife\/rss_feed\/whats-the-smallest-crocodile\/","title":{"rendered":"What\u2019s the smallest crocodile?"},"content":{"rendered":"

The world’s smallest crocodile is still a fairly formidable reptile at between 1.2-1.4 metres long. <\/p>

By BBC Wildlife Magazine\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Thursday, 04 May 2023 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

The world\u2019s smallest crocodilian species is Cuvier\u2019s dwarf caiman (<\/span>Paleosuchus palpebrosus<\/i><\/span>), also known as the musky caiman, the\u00a0dwarf caiman,\u00a0Cuvier\u2019s caiman, and the\u00a0smooth-fronted caiman.<\/span><\/p>\n

The Cuvier\u2019s dwarf caiman is native to the rivers and streams of northern and central South America; males grow to an average of 1.4m, females just 1.2m. <\/span><\/p>\n

This formidable reptile has strong body armour to provide protection against larger predators like \u00a0jaguars<\/a><\/strong>, green anacondas<\/a><\/strong> and boa constrictors<\/a><\/strong>.<\/span><\/p>\n

Adult\u00a0 Cuvier\u2019s dwarf caimans prey on large fish, amphibians and invertebrates, including molluscs.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

In the wild their lifespan is around 25 years, while in captivity they can live for 60 years.<\/p>\n