Mysore, Jun 8 (DHNS): The Madras Crocodile Bank Trust has gifted three new species of crocodiles to Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens in Mysore.

The crocodiles will be housed in the newly-constructed enclosures exclusively built for the purpose. They are designed in a way that are akin to the natural habitat of individual species, said K B Markandaiah, Executive Director of  Mysore zoo.

At present there are five species of crocodiles in Mysore zoo. With the addition of  three more species, eight species of crocodiles will be on display at the zoo, which is a rare distinction.

Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), Dwarf Caiman (Paloesuchus palpebrosus) and African Slender Snouted Crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus) are the the newly arrived reptiles.

Nile Crocodile is the second largest crocodile species in the world and is a native of Africa.

Their natural habitat is lakes, rivers, freshwater swamps, brackish water and they can modify their habitat by digging dens to protect themselves from adverse climatic conditions.

The Dwarf Caiman is the world’s smallest crocodile species from northern and central South America. The male crocodiles grow up to 1.6 m (5.2 ft), while the female crocodiles measure typically up to 1.2 m (4 ft). Their habitat is freshwater forested riverine and flooded areas.

African Slender Snouted Crocodile is a medium- sized freshwater crocodile and is a native of freshwater habitats in central and western Africa. They grow to about four metre long. They have a slender snout used for catching prey, hence the name.

The Mysore zoo is one of the very few zoos in India, which house the world’s largest Salt Water Crocodile species and the smallest Dwarf Caiman Crocodile, said the executive director.