SCARBOROUGH MIRROR (Ontario) 18 November 05 New zoo resident has a lot of growing up to do
A rare male West African dwarf crocodile born at the Toronto Zoo is just about to celebrate its two-month birthday.
The creature was born at the zoo's Animal Health Unit Sept. 22 to parents Montgomery and Cleo. The baby will eventually go on display in the African Rainforest pavilion.
Although the hatchlings are quite small at birth - the male weighed 44 grams - they have the potential of reaching weights of 175 pounds with the female weighing a great deal less. Adult lengths are from five to six feet. The lifespan of this crocodile is from 50 to 100 years.
The Toronto Zoo has been successful in breeding this species with more than 30 having been born, of which 20 survived.
As crocodiles go, this is a small-sized species. The body is heavily armoured. Adults are black in colour; juveniles are a lighter brown. The tip of the snout is turned up.
Although parental care is limited time wise, the female does construct a nest and guards it until the young hatch. She then carries them to the water in her mouth. They stay with the mother for several weeks.
The Zoo is on Meadowvale Road north of Hwy. 401. For general information, call (416) 392-5929 or visit www.torontozoo.com
New zoo resident has a lot of growing up to do