Orinoco crocodile

The orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is a species of crocodile found in the Orinoco basin and Meta river.  It is critically endangered due to poaching and habitat pollution.  It is one of the largest crocodiles, measuring 16 feet.


Physical Features
The length of orinoco crocodiles range from 10 feet to 16 feet, which makes them the fifth longest crocodile.  Males are larger than females.   Adult females may weigh 200 kilograms while mature males can weigh 380 kilograms.  There are reports of orinoco crocodiles exceeding 22 feet, but it is unconfirmed.  Orinoco crocodiles have a relatively long snout with a yellowish skin color with dark brown or black bands.


Diet
The orinoco crocodile is a carnivore like all crocodilians.  It is considered as an apex predator.  Like all crocodilians, it mainly feeds on fish but can also take on other large animals like capybara, domestic animals and even other large predators is food is hard to find.  There are not many human attacks.


Distribution
The orinoco crocodile is found in the Orinoco basin and Meta river of South America.  It is found in the countries of Venezuela and Colombia.


Conservation Status
The orinoco crocodile is rated as critically endangered in IUCN.  The estimated population is a rough 2,500 individuals.  As of 2007, there were 50 captive individuals.  Some breeding programs release about 360 indviduals a year.


Source of picture 1:http://www.junglexplorer.net/fleuve2_gb.htm