Facts about Philippine Crocodile
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Recovery programs in the Philippines have established captive breeding facilities that have produced over 200 juvenile crocodiles since the 1990s for potential reintroduction into protected wetlands.
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In the 1970s, Philippine crocodiles were hunted to near extinction primarily for their valuable hides, which were processed into leather goods for international markets.
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Distinct bony ridges along the Philippine crocodile's snout differentiate it from the larger saltwater crocodile species found in the same region.
- 07
Habitat loss from dam construction and agricultural development has destroyed approximately 99 percent of the Philippine crocodile's original range since the mid-20th century.
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Measuring only 0.6 to 1 meter long at hatching, Philippine crocodiles reach sexual maturity at approximately 16 years of age and live 20 to 40 years in their natural habitat.
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A 2019 population survey documented only 92 Philippine crocodiles surviving in the wild across the country's remaining suitable habitats.
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Nesting female Philippine crocodiles lay between 7 and 20 eggs in sandy riverbanks, with incubation lasting approximately 65 to 75 days before hatchlings emerge.
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Aggressive territorial behavior of Philippine crocodiles includes loud hissing, head-slapping, and powerful tail strikes that can seriously injure or kill intruders.
- 02
The Philippine crocodile inhabits freshwater rivers and lakes in the Philippines, typically in areas with dense vegetation and minimal human disturbance.
- 01
Fewer than 100 Philippine crocodiles remain in the wild, making this species one of the world's most critically endangered reptiles.