Is that a turtle in the lower left corner? If so, do you know the species and if this is a new mix or a mix that has been working for a long time? Are there more than one crocodile in the exhibit? Leipzig Zoo, which has bred dwarf crocodile repeatedly and maintains the European studbook, has over time tried mixing it with various aquatic species. Most fish species worked fine (the exception was lungfish), but dwarf croc mixed with turtles failed.
Is that a turtle in the lower left corner? If so, do you know the species and if this is a new mix or a mix that has been working for a long time? Are there more than one crocodile in the exhibit? Leipzig Zoo, which has bred dwarf crocodile repeatedly and maintains the European studbook, has over time tried mixing it with various aquatic species. Most fish species worked fine (the exception was lungfish), but dwarf croc mixed with turtles failed.
Yes, that's an African helmeted turtle (Pelomedusa subrufa). A pair of them were added into the exhibit about 2-3 months ago. There is only one crocodile in the exhibit. There is definitely some aggression shown by the crocodile, right after I took this picture the crocodile lunged and snapped at the turtle, which was unharmed. I'm not sure if this mix will work in the long term.
The fish in the exhibit are small species like cichlids, climbing perch, squeaker catfish and distichodus.
Thanks. Dwarf croc + African helmeted turtle was among the attempted mixes (I know other places that have done it too). At Leipzig it worked initially. Emphasis on initially. All those fish, as well as various others (other catfish and cichlid, Nile perch, African snakehead, African pike, African tetras, labeos) have worked long-term at Leipzig without problems. However, lungfish belong in the "snack" category for dwarf crocs. Among major freshwater fish groups from Central and West Africa, it seems the only that haven't been tried are bichir, spiny eel and elephantfish.
