Biology

When the waters subside in the dry season, Orinoco crocodiles retreat into burrows excavated into riverbanks (3). Breeding females excavate hole-nests on exposed sand banks, typically laying around 40 eggs. The female remains close to the nest site to guard it from vultures and tegu lizards (2). Hatching occurs 2.5 to 3 months later, which coincides with the rains that bring a rise in water levels, and females have been reported to protect pods of juveniles for up to 3 years (2).  Adults are opportunistic, feeding on a wide variety of prey that are either in or near the water such as fish, large birds and small mammals (2). Data on lifespan are extremely sparse but, like other large crocodilians, Orinoco crocodiles may live as long as 70 to 80 years (3).