Range: West Africa, Congo region

Habitat: Strictly fresh water species.  The African Dwarf Crocodile appears to prefer small permanent bodies of water.

Size: 3-6 feet, stout heavy bodied for it's length, the male African dwarf Croc is approximately 25% larger than females.

Status: Conflicting data seems to indicate that the wild populations of the Dwarf Crocodile are stable.  This may be due in large part to the skin of the Dwarf Croc which is studded with osteoderms rendering it virtually useless for the skin trade. 

Rain Forest Facts: This diminutive crocodilian appears to be losing ground to loss of habitat more than any other factor.  The skin of the animal is virtually useless in the leather trade, this fact has a significant impact on the poaching factor. 

This very same fact though does not bode well for any attempts to farm the animal as there is little if any financial incentive for individuals to produce this crocodilian species in any number in captivity.  A study in the successful history of the American Alligator points to the direct correlation between monetary gain by farmers and the success of the species in the wild. 

Additional pressure from the bush-meat trade account for high mortality in the field.