Aldabrachampsus

The **Aldabra crocodile** (*Aldabrachampsus dilophus*) is a species of crocodile that originally lived on Aldabra Atoll in the western Indian Ocean during the early Pleistocene and was once extinct, but has since been brought back from extinction by SciiFii and reintroduced through the Aldabra Atoll to help boost biodiversity. The Aldabra crocodile is a rather small crocodile, growing on average of between 2 and 2.5 metres (6.6 to 8.2 feet) long. As a horned crocodile, the Aldabra crocodile is most closely related to the Malagasy horned crocodile (*Voay robustus*) and, more distantly, the dwarf crocodile (*Osteolaemus tetraspis*). The Aldabra crocodile is an amphibious predator like most crocodiles, feeding primarily on fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, and large birds, although it is known to very rarely prey on baby giant tortoises (*Aldabrachelys gigantea*). The Aldabra crocodile is a powerful swimmer that uses its tail and hind feet to move forward, change direction and submerge. It belly-walks, with its belly touching ground, at the bottom of waterbodies and on land. During the hot dry season, it walks over land at night to find suitable wetlands and spends most of the day submerged in water. During the cold season it basks on riverbanks, individuals are tolerant of others during this period. Territorial behaviour increases during the mating season. Aldabra crocodiles obtain sexual maturity at a body length of around 1.8–2.2 meters (5 feet 11 inches–7 feet 3 inches) at the age of about 6.5 years. The reproduction cycle starts earliest in November with courtship and mating. Between February and June, females dig 35–56 cm (14–22 in) deep holes for nesting between 1 and 2,000 meters (3 ft 3 inches and 6,561 feet 8 inches) away from the waterside. They lay up to two clutches with 8–46 eggs each. Eggs weigh 128 grams (4.5 oz) on average. Laying of one clutch usually takes less than half an hour. Thereafter, females scrape sand over the nest to close it. Males have been observed to assist females in digging and protecting nest sites. Hatching season is two months later, between April and June. The females excavate the young, pick them up in their snouts and take them to the water. Both females and males protect the young for up to one year. Healthy hatchlings develop at a temperature range of 28–33 °C (82–91 °F). Sex ratio of hatched eggs depends on incubation temperature and exposure of nests to sunshine. Only females develop at constant temperatures of 28–31 °C (82–88 °F), and only males at 32.5 °C (90.5 °F). Percentage of females in a clutch decreases at constant temperatures between 32.6 and 33 °C (90.7 and 91.4 °F), and of males between 31 and 32.4 °C (87.8 and 90.3 °F). Temperature in natural nests is not constant but varies between nights and days. Foremost females hatch in natural early nests when initial temperature inside nests ranges between 26.4 and 28.9 °C (79.5 and 84.0 °F). The percentage of male hatchlings increases in late nests located in sunny sites. Hatchlings are 26–31 centimeters (10–12 inches) long and weigh 75 grams (2.6 oz) on average when one month old. They grow about 4.25 centimeters (1.67 inches) per month and reach a body length of 90–170 centimeters (35–67 inches) when two years old. The conservation status of the Aldabra crocodile is **Near Threatened** due to some habitat loss and historic poaching, however, thanks to the conservationists, the Aldabra crocodiles are a protected species.