#orinoco crocodile

[arminreindl]

So something that a lot of people are seemingly unaware off is the "rostral boss" or simply face bump seen in some American Crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus). I've seen it a few times now that folks are really surprised to see it, so I think its worth sharing a bit on that and its importance to understanding how crocs came to America.

For starters, the rostral boss is a large bump that is located on the snout of some crocodiles just before the eyes, covering the back of the nasal bone and areas of the prefrontals, lacrimals and parts of the frontal bone. This boss, among modern crocs, is most prominent in the American Crocodile. Sidenote, I know its a pain, but here American Crocodile (capitalized C) means Crocodylus acutus. When meaning the crocodiles of America, I'll use Neotropic crocodiles. Also tho I'm usually liberal with the term, here crocodile specifically refers to the genus Crocodylus. Good? Good. Anyhow, this kinda gives them a look thats been likened to the Triassic phytosaurs and makes individuals with said bump really distinct. Below are some pictures which show different indivudals with less and more pronounced bosses.

Now this feature is not unique to American Crocodiles (again meaning C. acutus, I know the terminology is confusing), but can be seen in at least some other neotropic Crocodylus species. Now I've yet to see images of either Morelet's or Orinoco Crocodiles with the same and they don't appear to have been recognized with them by older literature, but there are some Cuban Crocodile skulls also showing a slight boss. If you look at the two photos below, you can see an American Crocodile skull on the left and several skulls of Cuban Crocodiles on the right (from the Quaternary Sawmill Sink on the Bahamas). It's comparably subtle in the Cubans, but there is a boss present in these skulls.

The fun part is that this isn't just a random trait that these crocodiles got out of nowhere. No, the rostral boss is actually a trait thats likely to be ancestral to ALL Crocodylus species of the Neotropics (so again, Morelet's, Cubans, Orinocos and Americans). The oldest known Crocodylus species from the Americas is Crocodylus falconensis from the Pliocene of Venezuela. And guess what, it had that very same bump on its face.

But that's not where the trail ends. No. Back in the 1940s a crocodile was found in Miocene sediments of Northern Africa that had a similar bump. Meaning on the other side of the Atlantic. This was largely ignored at the time, despite the similarities to American and Cuban Crocodiles and their rostral bosses being known back then. But more recently, scientists have taken a second look at this species, Crocodylus checchiai, and concluded that it is a likely ancestor to today's Neotropic crocodiles.

We already knew that African crocodiles (Nile Crocodiles and Sacred Crocodiles) were more closely related to Neotropic crocodiles than to Australasian ones (like Salties, Freshies and Muggers), but this essentially provided some really solid evidence for how crocs got to America. Sometime between the Miocene and Pliocene, Crocodylus checchiai (or a relative or descendent) swam across the Atlantic and landed in the area around the Caribbean, spreading and giving rise to the four true crocodiles that still inhabit the region. Which I personally think is really cool.

[midnight-endings]

Inktober #1-2 prompts via Faunatober

[erivicul]

Orinoco Crocodile lying within water.

[blackgreenandblue]

[obsessivevoidkitten]

HOW DO YOU THINK OF NAMES FOR YOUR CHARACTERS?? WRECK IS SUCH A GOOD NAME FOR A CROCODILE

Sometimes it is really hard.

He was almost named Orin after the Orinoco Crocodile.

But that croc doesn't live near mangroves.

[bigender-cowboy]

Silly Game Time: SOUTH AMERICAN ANIMAL TIME! Use a random letter generator, then look up South American animals that start with that letter. What's one of them? Post a picture of it!

O.

Orinoco crocodile.

[ronanceautistic]

can you tell me some really silly things about crocodiles and alligators??? man i wanna know what you know :3

Well, fun fact, there's only two alligator species in the world. There are 17 crocodiles, 2 gharials, and 6 caiman. But because there are so many American Alligators (about 5 million), they alone have a higher population than every other species combined. They're not endangered, however the US lists them as a protected species, because hunters can mistake them for American Crocodiles, which are critically endangered. So to prevent them from accidentally killing one, alligators are also pretty regulated in terms of hunting.

The other alligator species is the Chinese Alligator. There's only about 120 of them left in the wild, and they're pretty hard to find, because they bury underground.

Orinoco crocodiles are one of my faves because they just look like pancakes basically. I also like gharials because they look fucking ridiculous.

Also look up the noises baby crocodiles make. They sound like terrible sound effects from 1950s space movies.

[zinogirl]

crocodilians are so cool

So there's like a couple dozen species of Crocodile (Nile, American, Saltwater, Orinoco, etc)

But only two species of alligator (American, Chinese), and they exist at the same latitude, but on opposite sides of the planet

Then there's the Gharials and False Gharials, with their freaky lil thin mouths, and the Caiman, who look like Lite Alligators

[arminreindl]

Croc colours and patterns

Somewhat inspired by a recent post by Joschua Knüppe, I feel like it's a good thing to remind people just how diverse colours and patterns in modern crocodilians are. When I see people make art, it often seems to stick to grey or yellowish-brown tones, which is of course not incorrect. But theres a lot of, imo, underappreciated variety still. It's also worth noting beforehand that patterns are most striking in younger individuals and naturally become more muddy the older and larger an animal becomes. But as you will see, even some decently large and old animals may maintain a striking appearance.

Take this alligator for example. Gators tend to be on the darker side, dark greys to black, sometimes countershaded and sometimes pretty consistent. Some individuals, like this one photographed by Gar Luc, still retain clearly visible stripe patterns from when they are younger.

Or take one of my favourite species, the Cuban Crocodile, which can appear almost bright yellow with a dense pattern of leopard spots. Of course like with the gator you can find individuals that are much more drab, with washed out colours, but individuals with clearly defined patterns still exist.

Then there's gharials of course. They can range quite a bit in colouration. They can be brown, especially younger ones and females and I've seen males range in colour from a drab grey to almost a light blue or even something that could be described as metalic black.

Black Caimans are also pretty interesting in my opinion and pretty easy to tell apart from other species once you pay attention to their colour. They are primarily a deep dark black of course, but what sets them apart from spectacled and other caimans is that very fine pattern of thin white stripes across the flanks that creates this beautiful contrast. They can also have patches of brown like the one on the right.

Orinocos also vary a great deal. Tho I know less about them than I wish I did, I know that individuals can range from drab brownish greys to yellow to somewhat earthy browns that almost range into reds.

The next ones a bit of an outlier. There are specific cave dwelling dwarf crocodile populations in western Africa with striking orange colouration. Tho this one is not exactly natural pigmentation to my knowledge and instead the result of the chemicals present in the water they inhabit, brought there by bat guano. Still very pretty animals.

And then there's Paleosuchus, the dwarf caiman which contains two species. Again highly varied. The first image, which I believe is a Schneider's dwarf caiman, shows a very earthy brown. The others, which unless I'm mistaken are Cuvier's dwarf caimans, show colours ranging from dark with a rusty head, black to this still beautifully patterned individual. Of course these variations are also subject to change with age.

While salties aren't exactly known to be the most vibrant, I'd be remissed if I didn't mention this specific one. It's kept in a zoo in Germany and has this almost bizarre colour combination of creamy white underbelly and chocolate brown top which I've never seen in another saltwater crocodile. Photos by my friends Markus Bühler from the Bestiarium blog and René Dederich

Spectacled, Broad-snouted and Yacare caimans I'll give a quick shout out. I think most people are familiar enough with how they look like and while their colours aren't anything special, I still think one should appreciate their patterns of spots and stripes and facial markings.

The last one I wanna highlight is the false gharial, Tomistoma, another one of my favourites. Part of the reason why being its at times beautiful reddish-brown colours.

[taggthewanderer]

Phylogeny can be funny, you'd think that the closest relatives to African crocodiles would be the ones in Asia and Australia like the salties or muggers, but instead their closest relatives are New World crocs like the American and Orinoco crocodiles.

[games-gamesdesign]

Species

There are a total of 18 extant species have been recognized.

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Hall's New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus halli)

Orinoco crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius)

Freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)

Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)

Morelet's crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae)

Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)

Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Borneo crocodile (Crocodylus raninus)

Cuban crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer)

Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)

West African crocodile (Crocodylus suchus)

Osborn’s dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus osborni)

Dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)

West African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)

Central African slender-snouted crocodile (Mecistops leptorhynchus)

[minebuild]

Hey Builders, so I’m gonna cancel my Zoo project to a somewhat Reptile House called Reptilia. It’s gonna be a big building with multiple Reptiles on every Enclosure. There’s also a viewing area of the Orinoco Crocodile and the Northern Caiman Lizard all in one piece of Enclosure. Also the blocks are inspired by The Chaotic Craft’s reptile House but smaller than mine. Btw here’s a photo of the logo

I may also gonna include an Aquarium and a Mammal House but I’ll try my best. Cheers

[nedsecondline]

Orinoco Crocodile Crocodylus intermedius — Palm Oil Detectives | Barbara Crane Navarro

Source: Orinoco Crocodile Crocodylus intermedius — Palm Oil Detectives | Barbara Crane Navarro

[rasmasandra]

Wildlife of Venezuela

The South American country of Venezuela is one of the most bio-diverse countries in the world. Among the animals making their home here are crocodiles, spectacled bears, capybaras, sloths, and the scarlet ibis among others.   Official National Animal Troupial, a member of the oriole family. These are black-headed, orange-bodied birds. Native Animals Orinoco crocodiles get their name from…

[roamanddiscover]

Venezuela

Venezuela, officially known as the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country located on the northern coast of South America. The country has a rich and diverse history, culture, and natural resources that make it an attractive destination for tourists and visitors from around the world. The name "Venezuela" originated from the word "Veneciuela," which means "little Venice," given by Spanish explorers in the 16th century when they discovered the stilt houses built by the indigenous people on Lake Maracaibo. The name later evolved to become Venezuela. Venezuela has a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times when the indigenous peoples lived in the vast plains of the country. Later, the Spanish came to Venezuela in the 16th century and colonized the region, leading to the introduction of Christianity, the Spanish language, and the fusion of the Spanish and indigenous cultures. In 1811, Venezuela declared independence from Spain, and Simon Bolivar, a Venezuelan military and political leader, played a crucial role in the country's liberation. After a turbulent period of coups and revolutions, Venezuela became a democratic country in 1958. Venezuela is a geologically diverse country, with a landscape that ranges from snow-capped Andean peaks to tropical rainforests, coastal plains, and sandy beaches. The country also has abundant mineral resources, including iron, gold, coal, and diamonds. Venezuela is a country with a diverse topography that includes the Andean mountains, the Maracaibo lowlands, the Orinoco River basin, and the Guiana Highlands. Some of the country's natural wonders include Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world, and the Mochima National Park, a paradise of beaches and coral reefs. Venezuela has a rich ecological diversity that includes tropical rainforests, Andean cloud forests, and coral reefs. The country is home to many endangered species, such as the jaguar, the giant otter, and the Orinoco crocodile, and has a vast array of plant species, including orchids, bromeliads, and cacti. Venezuela's biodiversity is exceptional, with over 25,000 species of plants, 2,000 species of fish, and 1,400 species of birds. The country is also home to unique animals such as the giant anteater, armadillos, and capybaras. Venezuela has a tropical climate that varies depending on the altitude and region. The country has four main climate zones: the hot and humid equatorial climate zone, the tropical monsoon climate zone, the dry climate zone, and the mild climate zone found in the Andean mountains. Venezuela faces various environmental challenges, such as deforestation, air and water pollution, and illegal wildlife trade. The government has launched initiatives to protect the country's natural resources, but many of the efforts have not been effective due to lack of funding and corruption. Venezuela has been a politically unstable country in recent years, with a history of coups, corruption, and political unrest. The current government is a socialist regime led by President Nicolas Maduro, which has been facing international controversy over violations of human rights and democracy. Venezuela's economy is dependent on its vast oil reserves, which make up 95% of the country's exports. However, the country's economic situation has been in decline due to corruption, mismanagement, and sanctions placed by the United States and other countries. Venezuela has a well-developed infrastructure that includes transportation, energy, and communication systems. The country has a network of highways, railways, and airports that connect its major cities, and a modern telecommunications system that provides internet and mobile phone services to most of the population. Venezuela has made significant contributions to science, particularly in the fields of astronomy, medicine, and genetics. The country has several advanced research centers, including the Venezuelan Institute for Scientific Research, which conducts cutting-edge research in various disciplines. Venezuela is the birthplace of many famous and accomplished individuals, including Simon Bolivar, who led the country in its struggle for independence, and actress and singer, Maria Conchita Alonso, who gained international recognition for her work in film and music. Venezuela has a population of approximately 28 million people, with a diverse mix of ethnic and cultural groups. The majority of the population is of mixed European and indigenous ancestry, with significant Afro-Venezuelan and indigenous populations. Venezuela is a country with a diverse cultural and ethnic makeup. The most significant ethnic groups are mestizo, which is a mix of European and indigenous ancestry, Afro-Venezuelan, and indigenous populations. Religion in Venezuela is diverse, with the majority of the population identifying as Roman Catholic. Other religions practiced in the country include Protestantism, Judaism, Islam, and indigenous religions. The official language of Venezuela is Spanish, with several indigenous languages spoken in various regions of the country. English is commonly spoken by the tourism industry and in certain parts of the country. Venezuela's healthcare system has been in decline in recent years due to political and economic instability. The country faces public health concerns such as the Zika virus, malaria, and shortages of medical supplies and personnel. Venezuelan culture is a mix of European, indigenous, and African influences. The arts, music, literature, and traditions are vibrant and diverse. Some of the country's most notable contributions to world culture are in the fields of music, including salsa music, and literature, such as Gabriel Garcia Marquez's 'One Hundred Years of Solitude.' Venezuela offers a wide range of recreational activities for tourists and visitors, such as hiking in the Andes, birdwatching in the rainforest canopy, and sunbathing on the Caribbean coast. Venezuela has several major cities, including Caracas, Valencia, and Maracaibo, each with a unique character and charm. Some of the most scenic cities in Venezuela include Merida, known for its colonial architecture and mountain scenery, and Ciudad Bolivar, renowned for its historic center and riverside location. Venezuela has numerous tourist attractions and destinations, such as the Canaima National Park with its unique tepui landscape and Angel Falls, the Los Roques archipelago with its pristine beaches and coral reefs, and the historic center of Coro, a UNESCO world heritage site. Venezuela's distinctive cuisine is a reflection of the country's cultural and regional diversity. Some of the most famous dishes include arepas, cachapas, and hallacas, and the national beverage is rum. Venezuela can be accessed by direct flights from major cities in North and South America, Europe, and the Caribbean. Venezuela has various types of accommodation available, ranging from budget hostels to luxury hotels, and eco-lodges in the national parks. Despite its natural beauty and cultural richness, Venezuela has faced negative perceptions from the international community due to its political instability, crime rates, and economic hardships.

Etymology

Venezuela derives its name from its geographical location. It was originally inhabited by several indigenous tribes, including the Caribs, Arawaks, and the Timoto-Cuicas. When the Spanish explorers arrived in 1498, they encountered the Timoto-Cuicas tribe, who referred to their land as "Abya-Yala." The term meant "the land where the sun rises" in their language. The name "Venezuela" was given to the region by the Italian explorer, Amerigo Vespucci. Vespucci was part of an expedition to the area in 1499. He named the region "Venezuela," meaning "Little Venice" in Italian, due to the villages that the indigenous people built on stilts over Lake Maracaibo, which reminded him of the Italian city of Venice. However, the use of the name "Venezuela" wasn't officially recognized until 1520. The Spanish conquistador, Ambrosio Alfinger, used it in his reports back to Spain. The name gained popularity when the region became a captaincy-general of the Spanish Empire in 1777. The name Venezuela has gone through several variations over the years. During the colonial era, it was known as "Provincia de Venezuela" or "Province of Venezuela." The country gained independence from Spain in 1821, and it became known as the "Republic of Venezuela." Today, the name Venezuela remains significant to its people and its heritage. It signifies the country's unique history and diverse cultural identity. Understanding the origin and meaning of the name Venezuela is essential to understanding the country as a whole.

History

Venezuela has a rich history that dates back to pre-Columbian times. The country was inhabited by various indigenous tribes such as the Caribs, Timoto-Cuicas, and Cumanagotos. These tribes established their own unique cultures and customs, which were later impacted by the arrival of European explorers. In 1498, Christopher Columbus arrived on the shores of Venezuela during his third voyage. However, it was not until the early 16th century that Spanish conquistadors led by Alonso de Ojeda and Amerigo Vespucci began colonizing Venezuela. Over the following centuries, Venezuela was ruled by Spain and was subjected to forced labor and exploitation of natural resources. The struggle for independence from Spanish rule started in the early 19th century, with notable leaders such as Francisco de Miranda and Simon Bolivar leading the charge. In 1811, Venezuela declared its independence, but it was not until 1821, after the Battle of Carabobo, that the country was officially freed from Spanish control. After gaining independence, Venezuela experienced various political and economic challenges. Throughout the 19th and 20th centuries, the country saw multiple changes in leadership and political systems, including military dictatorships and democratically elected governments. In 1958, Venezuela saw the establishment of a democratic government, which lasted until the late 20th century. During this time, the country experienced an oil boom and saw significant economic growth, making it one of the most prosperous countries in South America. However, the country's political stability took a turn in the late 1990s when Hugo Chavez was elected president. Chavez's presidency was marked by controversial policies and an emphasis on socialism, which polarized the country's political landscape. After Chavez's death in 2013, Nicolas Maduro took over as president and continued to implement socialist policies. Today, Venezuela is experiencing significant political and economic turmoil, with hyperinflation, food and medicine shortages, and political unrest plaguing the country. Despite these challenges, Venezuela continues to be a fascinating country with a rich cultural history and a resilient spirit.

Geology

Venezuela, a country located on the northern coast of South America, stands out for its exceptional geological features. The terrain of the country is characterized by the presence of the Andes mountain range, the largest on the continent, which runs through the western states. In addition, Venezuela has two main sedimentary basins: the Maracaibo and the Eastern basins, separated by the Cordillera de la Costa mountain range. The Maracaibo basin, located in the northwest of the country, is particularly rich in oil and natural gas, which have been the main drivers of the country's economy for several decades. The Guiana Shield, a region of ancient rocks and dense forests, covers most of the southern portion of the country. This geological formation is one of the oldest in the world and contains valuable reserves of bauxite, diamonds, and gold, among other minerals. The Orinoco River basin, which covers approximately 40% of Venezuela's territory, is another important geological feature of the country. It is known for its vast reserves of oil, natural gas, and other minerals such as copper, iron, and coal. The basin itself is a vast plain region with marshes, savannas, and forests. Due to its location near the Caribbean Sea, the Venezuelan coastline is characterized by unique geological formations, such as the Morrocoy National Park, which is home to a large variety of coral reefs and islets. The park is also known for its mangrove swamps and its extensive beaches. Venezuela's diverse geology is also reflected in its various natural resources, including iron ore, diamonds, gold, bauxite, and uranium. In addition to oil and gas, the mining industry plays a significant role in the country's economic growth. The natural wonders of the Venezuelan geography attract tourists from all over the world. Venezuela has several national parks, such as Canaima National Park, home of Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. The park is also famous for its unique geological formations called tepuis. The diversity of Venezuela’s geological features reflects the country's rich history and culture, as well as its promising economic future.

Geography

Venezuela has a diverse geography, with a wide range of topographical features and natural wonders. The country is situated on the northern coast of South America and is bordered by Brazil to the south, Guyana to the east, and Colombia to the west. The Caribbean Sea lies to the north of Venezuela. The landscape of Venezuela is a combination of mountains, valleys, tropical rainforests, and deserts. The Andes mountain range runs through the western part of the country, culminating in the highest point in Venezuela, Pico Bolivar, which stands at 5,007 meters. The central part of the country is dominated by the Llanos, an expansive grassland region that stretches across the Orinoco River basin. The Guiana Highlands to the east of Venezuela is a plateau-topped region that includes dense rainforests, high waterfalls, and table-top mountains, known as tepuis. The Canaima National Park in this region is one of the largest national parks in the world and is home to the famous Angel Falls, the tallest waterfall in the world with a height of nearly 1,000 meters. Geographical Features Description Llanos Lowland plains that stretch across the Orinoco River basin Andes Mountain range that runs through western Venezuela and includes Pico Bolivar, the highest point in Venezuela Guiana Highlands Plateau-topped region to the east of Venezuela that includes rainforests, waterfalls, and tepuis Orinoco River The fourth longest river in South America, which flows through the Llanos and eventually empties into the Atlantic Ocean Angel Falls The tallest waterfall in the world, located in the Canaima National Park in the Guiana Highlands The Orinoco River, the fourth-longest river in South America, flows through Venezuela, emptying into the Atlantic Ocean. The river basin is home to a diverse array of flora and fauna, including river dolphins, anacondas, and the rare Orinoco crocodile. The river also serves as an important transportation route for the country's agricultural products and minerals. The beaches along the Caribbean coast of Venezuela are a popular tourist destination, with crystal clear waters and abundant marine life. The Los Roques archipelago, located off the coast of Venezuela, is a designated national park and marine reserve, famed for its coral reefs and numerous species of fish. Venezuela has a varied geography that includes mountains, plains, rainforests, waterfalls, and beaches. The natural wonders of the country, such as Angel Falls and the Los Roques archipelago, attract tourists from all over the world, making Venezuela a top destination for nature lovers.

Ecology

Venezuela is a country endowed with a rich ecological diversity that is a source of wonder. Its diverse ecosystems range from the rainforests in the south to the grasslands in the central region. The diverse landscape of the country is home to a wide variety of plant and animal species found in different conditions. Venezuela ranks among the most bio-diverse regions on the planet, with over 40,000 recorded species of plants and animals. The highest part of the country, the Andean region, features several ecological zones like cloud forests and alpine tundra that are of great significance. The area is known for its unique species such as the spectacled bear, the torrent duck, and the Andean condor. The forests of Venezuela contain some of the densest and most extensive woodlands on the planet, and the Amazon basin holds the greatest number of freshwater fish species in the world. Venezuela is also home to several protected areas that boast of spectacular wildlife. The country has a total of 43 national parks, including Canaima, which is famous for its waterfalls, such as the Angel Falls, the highest waterfall in the world. Other protected areas of interest include the Morrocoy National Park, Mochima, and Henri Pittier, which feature beautiful beaches, coral reefs, and mangroves. In addition to this, Venezuela's ecology adds significant value to the country's economy through the production of goods like cocoa and coffee, which are major export crops. The rainforests located in the south of the country also have timber reserves that are of interest. Venezuela's ecology is thus of great importance to the country's people and the global community, as it has significant implications for conservation and the preservation of the world's biodiversity. However, Venezuela's ecological systems face a range of environmental problems that threaten their stability. The dominating concerns include deforestation, soil degradation, pollution of rivers and seas, and habitat destruction. A comprehensive effort is necessary to safeguard the ecology of the country and maintain its significance for the generations to come.

Biodiversity

Venezuela's biodiversity is truly remarkable, with over 50,000 plant species and thousands of animal species calling the country home. In fact, Venezuela ranks among the top ten most biologically diverse countries in the world. This incredible array of flora and fauna is due to the country's diverse range of habitats, from the Amazon rainforest to the Andes Mountains and the Caribbean Sea. The country's plant life is particularly exceptional, with hundreds of medicinal plants and herbs used by traditional healers and modern medicine alike. Some of the most well-known plants include the cacao tree, the source of chocolate, and the rubber tree. Venezuela is also home to numerous orchid species, many of which are unique to the country. The country's animal life is just as diverse, with many endangered and rare species. One of the most famous is the giant otter, which can be found in the Amazon rainforest. Other notable animals include jaguars, capybaras, and armadillos. Venezuela also has a large bird population, including the scarlet ibis, the national bird of the country. The country's marine life is equally diverse, with numerous species of fish, sharks, and other aquatic animals found in the Caribbean Sea and nearby waters. Dolphins, whales, and sea turtles are also commonly spotted in Venezuelan waters. Read the full article