The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis) is one of the rare crocodile subspecies that lives in the saltwater habitats of the Philippine. It is also known as the Philippine freshwater crocodile.
Philippine crocodiles are probably one of the smallest subspecies.
They can reach the average size of 1.5 m (4.9 ft) but the maximum length averages at 3.1 m (10 ft).
Young crocodiles show golden-brown appearance and they become darker as they grow in age.
Males are only slightly larger than the females.
The Philippine crocodile population is found in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park, San Mariano, Lake Sebu, Babuyan Islands, Samar, Masbate, and Ligawasan Marsh.
They make habitats in fre
shwater marshes, small lakes, creeks, ponds, and large rivers.
Philippine crocodiles feed on small amphibians, fish, reptiles, small mammals, shrimps, snails, snakes, and invertebrates.
Unlike most other crocodilians, the females lay as fewer as 7 – 14 eggs. This is possibly one of the reasons as to why their population is threatened.
According to National Geographic, the total number of remaining Philippine crocodiles is only 250 in the wild. It shows that they are one of the most endangered crocodiles in the world.
Philippine crocodiles can live as long as 70 years.
The IUCN red List has listed the Philippine crocodiles has critically endangered.
