Sources of heat for nests of Paleosuchus trigonatus and a review of crocodilian nest temperatures.

Abstract

Crocodilians normally incubate at temperatures >27oC. Stable temperatures >27oC are not naturally available in the tropical-rainforest habitat of Paleosuchus trigonatus. Most nests are placed at the side of, or on top of, termite mounds. Heat from the termite mound insulation by the nest material maintain the eggs at c 30oC (28.4-32.1oC). -from Authors