There is a world somewhere between reality and fiction. Although ignored by many, it is very real and so are those living in it. This forum is about the natural world. Here, wild animals will be heard and respected. The forum offers a glimpse into an unknown world as well as a room with a view on the present and the future. Anyone able to speak on behalf of those living in the emerald forest and the deep blue sea is invited to join.
08-22-2018, 06:14 AM( This post was last modified: 08-24-2019, 10:37 PM by epaiva )
The Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius) is a critically endangered crocodile. Its population is very small and it can be found only in freshwater enviroments in Venezuela and Colombia with about 2000 individuals in Venezuela and 200 in Colombia, in particular the Orinoco River and its tributaries. Extensively hunted for their skins in the 19th and 20th centuries, this species is one of the most critically endangered species of crocodiles. It is one of the larger species of crocodilian. Males have been reported up to 6,6 m. (22 ft) in the past, but such sizes do not exist today, largest males today measure 5 m (16 ft). Males average 4,1 m (13 ft) in length weighing 380 kg (840 lb), while females are substantially smaller averaging 225 kg (496 lb) measuring 3,30 m long. The coloration is light even in adults.
The Orinoco crocodile is an apex predator and will take opportunity to prey on a variety of reptiles, birds, and mammals, including Caiman crocodilus on occasion. The prey base is mostly made up of large predatory fish, challenging the general view by locals complaining about crocodile hunting local fish to a very low numbers, despite its large size the Orinoco crocodile rarely poses a threat to humans. Reproduction takes place in the dry season when the water level is lower.
Orinoco crocodiles are hole nesters, diggins holes in the sand to lay their eggs. The females guard the nests and young upto several years.
Photos taken in Puerto Miranda, Estado Guarico and Hato El Frio, Apure, Venezuela.
08-22-2018, 06:57 AM( This post was last modified: 08-22-2018, 07:39 AM by epaiva )
Orinoco crocodiles are among the largest living reptiles as well as the largest predator in the Americas.. Tipically males average 3,6 to 4,8 m in length, weighing 380 to 635 kg, while females are tipically 3,0 to 3,3 m in length, weighing 225 to 317 kg. The largest specimen reported was shot in 1800, and allegedly measured at 6,7 m (22 ft), although the source is considered reliable, unfortunately, no voucher specimen is known from this. Due to extensive hunting for their skins in the 20th century, such giants do not exist today, and modern Orinoco crocodiles have not been reported to exceed 5,1 m (17 ft) in length. Today largest males measure 5,1 m long and females 3,8 m
Photos taken in Hato El Frio, Estado Apure, Venezuela.
08-22-2018, 07:25 AM( This post was last modified: 08-22-2018, 07:40 AM by epaiva )
Orinoco crocodile fishing in the current, it stayed in the same spot for a long time and captured a good number of fishes their principal prey.
Big female ready to lay the eggs, we found this big female late at night when we were looking for big cats (Jaguars and Pumas)
Photos taken in Hato El Frio, Estado Apure, Venezuela.
Distribution of Orinoco crocodiles today with the four more important populations numbered, they are: 1 Rio Manapire (guarico); 2 Rio Cojedes (Cojedes); Hato El Frio and Rio Capanaparo, in Estado Apure. Taken from the book Lois Crocodilia de Venezuela: Ecologia y Conservacion (Andres Eloy Seijas)
(11-19-2018, 12:37 AM)epaiva Wrote: Closeup of the head of Big male 4,50 meters long in Masaguaral, Estado Guarico, Venezuela
Credit to Diego Jose Sena
(11-19-2018, 12:37 AM)epaiva Wrote: Closeup of the head of Big male 4,50 meters long in Masaguaral, Estado Guarico, Venezuela
Credit to Diego Jose Sena
11-21-2018, 03:04 AM( This post was last modified: 11-21-2018, 03:08 AM by epaiva )
Big female about 3,50 meters long ready to lay her eggs, we found her very late at night at 2am when we were looking for big cats (Jaguars and Pumas) we stayed for a few minutes and left her alone in Hato el Frio, Apure, Venezuela
12-01-2018, 02:48 AM( This post was last modified: 12-01-2018, 02:54 AM by epaiva )
Largest Orinoco Crocodile skull in Venezuelan museums in Museo de Estación Biológica Rancho Grande, Maracay, Venezuela. It measured 68,9 centimeters long and 31,5 centimeters wide.
Crocodile expert Mr Andrés Eloy Seijas holding the skull and picture 2 courtesy of Mr Arnaldo Ferrer
Orinoco Crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius)
