Geoscience Reference
In-Depth Information
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Deadly Reptiles
Another large and dangerous reptile of the African Rainforest is the crocodile. Three species of
crocodiles live in the wettest forests, in palm swamps, and along open water. The West African
dwarf crocodile is the smallest of the three species. It eats small vertebrates, large invertebrates,
and crustaceans. The slender-snouted crocodile lives in the wet areas of the tropical rainforests in
Central and West Africa. They are medium size and eat mainly fish, amphibians, and crustaceans.
The Nile crocodile is the largest African crocodile, reaching lengths of up to 16
6 m). Adult
males weigh about 1,100 lbs (500 kg), with some reaching weights of 2,000 lbs (900 kg). They
mainly eat fish, but can also take amphibians, reptiles, birds, and any other vertebrate that comes
to the edge of the water. Adult Nile crocodiles have eaten antelope, buffalo, bush pigs, monkeys,
cats, other crocodiles, and the occasional human.
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20 ft (5
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Figure 3.13). Tree frogs in Africa fill the same niche as the poison dart frogs of the
Neotropics, but they are unrelated. Some even produce a neurotoxin on their skin.
Reed frogs, rocket frogs, aquatic clawed frogs, and bullfrogs are other frogs found
in the rainforest.
Figure 3.13 Rainforest frogs like the oceanic tree frog lay eggs on leaves in the forest
where they develop out of the reach of most prey. Taken on Sao Tome Island.
(Photo
courtesy of Robert Drewes, Ph.D., California Academy of Sciences.)
