Siamese Crocodile

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Siamese Crocodile
Conservation status
Critically endangered (CR)
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Animalia Phylum: Chordata Class: Sauropsida Order: Crocodilia Family: Crocodylidae Genus: Crocodylus Species: C. siamensis
Binomial name
Crocodylus siamensis Schneider, 1801

The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is a freshwater crocodile native to Borneo, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.

In the wild they prefer slow moving waters like swamps, rivers, and some lakes. Most adults do not exceed 3 m (10 ft) in length, although there are hybrids in captivity that can grow much larger.

Due to excessive hunting this crocodile is a critically endangered species. In March 2005, conservationists found a nest of baby Siamese crocodiles in the southern Lao province of Savannakhet, raising hopes that this nearly extinct species may yet survive.

[edit] References

• Crocodile Specialist Group (1996). Crocodylus siamensis. 2006 IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. Retrieved on 11 May 2006. Listed as Critically Endangered (CR A1ac v2.3)