Wildlife
Siamese crocodiles are one of the most endangered crocodile species in the wild. Their last remaining stronghold are the slow moving rivers and swamps of Cambodia, where the population is thought to number fewer than 5,000 individuals - perhaps as few as 250. Little is known about this small freshwater crocodile. They rarely reach three metres in length and, despite their fearsome appearance, are largely passive. The females demonstrate a gentle touch as they help the hatchlings out of their eggs before carrying them to water in strong jaws.
Scientific name: Crocodylus siamensis
Rank: Species
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Saving Siamese crocodiles
Edith Bowman visits Cambodia to report on the critically endangered Siamese crocodile.
Siamese crocodiles are now classified as critically endangered with perhaps fewer than 250 adults left in the wild. Under a century ago, they were common in the wetlands of South East Asia, but in 1992 they were believed to be extinct in the wild. A few tiny populations were later discovered, but they now survive in less than 1% of their former range. Although protected by law they still come under enormous pressure from excessive hunting, illegal egg collecting and being caught in fishing nets. Flora and Fauna International is working alongside the Cambodian Forestry Administration on a breeding programme aiming to release more individuals into the wild.
Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.
The Siamese crocodile can be found in a number of locations including: Asia. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.
The following habitats are found across the Siamese crocodile distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.
Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.
Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web
Critically Endangered
Year assessed: 1996
Classified by: IUCN 2.3
Siamese Crocodile(Crocodylus siamensis) is a freshwater crocodile native to Indonesia (Borneo and possibly Java), Brunei, East Malaysia, Laos, Cambodia, Burma, Thailand, and Vietnam. The species is critically endangered and already extirpated from many regions. Its other common names include: Siamese freshwater crocodile, Singapore small-grain, cocodrilo de Siam, crocodile du Siam, buaja, buaya kodok, jara kaenumchued, and soft-belly.
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Ambush predator
Adapted to swimming
Carnivorous
Maternal care
Egg layer
Active at birth
Predator
Scavenger
Heat tolerant