Tomistoma

In News

• Recently, a study suggests that attacks on humans in Indonesia by Tomistoma may be increasing due to increasing intrusion in their habitat.
  • The tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii) is a shy and reclusive species that typically retreats from areas with a high degree of human activity.

About Tomistoma

• Native:
  • The tomistoma is a large, slender-snouted crocodilian species native to Southeast Asia.
• Distribution: 
  • Across part of Borneo (divided between Indonesia, Malaysia and Brunei), peninsular Malaysia and Sumatra. 
• Tomistoma shares its habitat with two other types of crocodilians; The saltwater crocodile and the Siamese crocodile.
• Characteristics:
  • They are noted for their long narrow snouts used to catch fish, similar to the gharial.
  • It is a freshwater species and is frequently associated with peat swamp forest.
  • It was long believed to be primarily piscivorous (fish eating) due to its slender snout, in recent decades it has been found that the species has a much broader diet and is likely more of an opportunistic predator.
• IUCN Status:
  • It is currently listed as Endangered on the International Union for the Conservation of Nature Red List of Threatened Species.
• Steps to be taken to reduce Human-animal conflict 
  • The study urged cooperation with local communities
  • The creation of crocodile exclusion enclosures
  • Further investigation into the causes of human-tomistoma conflict. 

Source: DTE