Animals

Crocodiles, Alligators and Caimans
Other Animals
Tomistoma

Tomistoma

Scientific Name: Tomistoma Schlegelii
Common Names: Tomistoma

Maximum adult length: 3 – 5 metres

N.B. Exceptionally large specimens can be found in all species of crocodilian.

The Tomistoma is a large freshwater crocodilian from Indonesia and Malaysia. They can attain huge sizes, with males occasionally exceeding 5 metres in length, and females regularly growing to over 3m. Tomistoma hatch out of the largest egg of any living crocodilian. These crocodilians are restricted to rivers, lakes and swamps in low lying areas, especially the peat swamp forests of Borneo, Sumatra and Malaysia.

Kingdom
ANIMALIA
Phylum
CHORDATA
Class
REPTILIA
Order
CROCODYLIA
Family
CROCODYLIDAE
Genus
CROCODYLUS

The Tomistoma is classified as ‘Endangered’ on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Red List Category & Criteria: Endangered ver 3.1
Year Published: 2023
Date Assessed: 2022-03-01
Population Trend: Decreasing

Countries: Indonesia (Kalimantan, Sumatra, Java), Malaysia (Peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak), Brunei, Thailand (now extirpated)

These crocodilians are restricted to rivers, lakes and swamps in low lying areas, especially the peat swamp forests of Borneo, Sumatra and Malaysia.

Juvenile animals will feed on invertebrates, including shrimp, and aquatic insects. Adult animals have a varied diet that can include fish, monitor lizards, monkeys, waterbirds, and turtles. There are now several records of Tomistoma killing cattle, so these crocodilians are large and powerful animals.

Tomistoma are found in low numbers throughout their range. We have very little information on historic populations, so it is difficult to assess how the population has varied over the years. Threats to the species include drastic loss of peat swamp forest habitat to logging, fires, and conversion of these areas to palm oil plantations, as well as entanglement in fishing nets, and opportunistic removal of young animals and eggs by residents and crocodile farmers.

You can help to support Tomistoma Conservation by donating online or at the zoo. Find out more here

References

IUCN Red List (December, 2023) http://www.iucnredlist.org

At the zoo

We have two adult Tomistoma here at the zoo. Both are females, and have been moved to our off-show area. On display, we have a small group of young Tomistoma that can be seen in the Lab Area of the Main Zoo building. These young Tomistoma were bred here at Crocodiles of the World, before we unfortunately lost our large adult male. On arrival our male measured an impressive 3.6m and weighed 150kgs, whilst the oldest female measured 2.5m and weighed 45kgs.

We are working with researchers to help protect Tomistoma in the wild, and you can help too. Find out more here.

Adopters

  • Sarah Ireland
  • Tom Roberts

Any Questions?

If you have any questions, please read our FAQ page which may have the information you need. If you need any further assistance or have queries regarding your visit, please contact us.