Down-turned snout and less dorsal armour. Adult O. t. tetraspis Head of adult crocodile Dorsal view of O. t. Fish, amphibians, crustaceans, possibly other terrestrial prey. Populations studied in the Congo show a change in diet over the course of the year - fish during the wet season, when river flooding brings fish into the marshy habitat occupied by the dwarf crocodile. During the dry season, when the fish are not available, the crocodiles survive primarily on crustaceans, and their dietary intake is generally reduced.
Individuals are generally solitary except during the breeding season.
Incubation period last between 85 to 105 days, and the hatchlings measure a mean total length of 28cm when they emerge from the eggs. The female guards the nest and subsequently protects the young for an unknown period of time in the water. However, most reports indicate that the species is in no immediate danger throughout most of its range because it is widely distributed in several countries, some of which have high numbers of crocodiles. The main problem with this species is still lack of reliable and widespread survey data. Lack of survey data are due to the difficulty in accessing available habitat.