Monday, September 24, 2007

Crocodylus mindorensis

These are Philippine Freshwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus mindorensis). We visited the Davao Crocodile Park last week and I was fortunate to be able to take a picture of this newly born hatchling from the laboratory. I took the photo through a window where the guy showed us the new born. He was actually cleaning it and recording its weight. I've never visited a crocodile farm before. Even if I lived over a year in Palawan, I wasn't able to visit the farm there.

In the tarpaulin hanging in one of the holding pens, it says that these crocodiles were found in restricted range areas in Mindoro (thus the scientific name), Negros, Jolo and parts of Mindanao. But due to land being converted to agricultural areas, they have died and slowly disappeared and became critically endangered...

I observed that they really do not move. They keep their mouths open like that. They are the true master of surprises to their preys.


2 comments:

Sidney said...

No doubt that they are fascinating but dangerous animals!

Daisy said...

Hi Sidney,

Thank you for visiting my blog! Yes I agree with you. I believe they are indeed facinating and dangerous.

Actually I was a bit apprehensive to visit the park. But it was really worth it to see.