The Cuban crocodile is one of the most threatened New World crocodilians (a group that includes alligators, caimans and the gharial). It is medium-sized with a short, broad head and high bony ridges behind each eye; in large adults there is a medial ridge running between the eyes towards the snout. Toes are short and lack webbing, indicative of a species that spends more time on land compared with most other crocodilian species. Both juveniles and adults have a sprinkled black and yellow pattern on their back and are sometimes known as 'pearly' crocodiles for this reason.