Nests are sited on the banks of rivers, and construction generally begins at the onset of the rainy season, although breeding is asynchronous even within members of one population. Has a similar, but generally shorter nesting season than that of the sympatric Osteolaemus tetraspis , which may nest further from the riverine habitat frequented by C. cataphractus . The incubation period is long compared with most other crocodilian species, sometimes lasting over 110 days. The female remains close to the nest, but does not defend it with the same vigour as some other species of crocodilians. Once the eggs begin to hatch, and the juveniles emit their characteristic chirping , she will break open the nest and assist in the hatching process.
Hatchlings then disperse across the flooded forest floor.
Very little ecological or survey information is available for this species. Those areas that have been surveyed reveal depleted populations, although the species is not yet considered to be threatened. The largest stronghold exists in Gabon, whereas other areas have shown a population decline - particularly in Angola and Chad. Other areas where the population has never had a real stronghold do not appear to have improved, and the species may well be extirpated in The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, and Zambia. This decline has come mainly from over-hunting, which intensified once populations of C. niloticus became depleted in these areas.