St. Augustine Alligator Farm Welcomes Hatchlings

The St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park recently welcomed the hatching of seven African Dwarf Crocodiles, according to a media release.

The Alligator Farm has been working with scientists Dr. Matt Shirley, Dr. Kent Vliet and others to determine the differences between these crocodiles The parents of these new babies were confirmed to be the new species by DNA testing. This is the first captive hatch of African Dwarf Crocodiles in the western hemisphere, the release states.

Later this year, scientists plan to convene in western Africa to discuss the Dwarf Crocodile complex and make recommendations to the The International Union for Conservation of Nature about the Red List conservation status of each of these three species in the wild.

The hatchings bring the total number of crocodile species hatched at the Alligator Farm up to 18. Dwarf Crocodiles are the smallest of the world’s crocodiles, rarely reaching over six feet in length. They consume a variety of prey, including fish, crustaceans, birds, and small mammals. They are not a threat to humans because of their small size and secretive nature. However, they are a known source of food for some subsistence hunters in west and central Africa, according to the release.

“I’m so proud of what our team”, said Zoo Director John Brueggen, in the release. “They continue to strive for excellence in animal care, and hatching 18 of the world’s crocodilians is evidence that they are doing an amazing job.”