Head to head
Philippine Crocodile vs New Guinea Crocodile
Philippine Crocodile
VS New Guinea Crocodile
The Philippine crocodile and New Guinea crocodile are two small freshwater crocodiles that are close relatives, living on separate islands of the western Pacific.
| Philippine Crocodile | New Guinea Crocodile | |
|---|---|---|
| Scientific name | Crocodylus mindorensis | Crocodylus novaeguineae |
| Relationship | A close relative of the New Guinea crocodile, from which it is thought to have diverged long ago | A close relative of the Philippine crocodile |
| Size | Large males reach around 3 metres, though most are shorter | Grows to around 3.5 metres, and is darker and more olive than many other crocodiles |
| Habitat | Freshwater rivers, creeks, and marshes | Swamps, rivers, and lakes of lowland rainforest, and rarely goes into saltwater |
| Diet | Fish, frogs, snakes, small mammals, and birds | Fish, frogs, snakes, birds, and small mammals |
| Range | Found only in the Philippines, mostly in the northern Sierra Madre of Luzon | The island of New Guinea, in both Papua New Guinea and the Indonesian provinces |
| Threats | Was hunted for its skin, and killed by dynamite and net fishing and the loss of its wetlands | Has been hunted for its skin, though it remains widespread and is not considered threatened overall |
| Conservation status | Critically Endangered, and decreasing | Least Concern, with a stable population |
Philippine Crocodile vs New Guinea Crocodile: common questions
Are the Philippine and New Guinea crocodiles related?
Yes, they are close relatives, though the two live on different islands and one is far rarer than the other.
How is the Philippine crocodile being protected?
A community-based programme in Luzon rewards villagers for protecting nests, and young crocodiles are raised and released into protected sites.
Which one is more widespread?
The New Guinea crocodile, which is found across the swamps, rivers, and lakes of the island of New Guinea.