The snout of this Crocodile is very long and slender, 2.5 to 3.5 times as long as broad at the level of the front corners of the eyes; at least 5 times as long as broad at the level of the nasal swelling. The surface is smooth, without bony ridges or unpaired elevated areas in front of the eyes. The upper body surface is dark olive in old animals and somewhat lighter and with dark blotches in young ones. The lower surface is light and with dark blotches, at least on both sides. There are large dark blotches or nearly uniformly black ones on the surface of the tail. Juveniles as well as adults have 4 to 5 dark blotches on each side of the lower jaw. The iris is bronzy brownish. The African slender-snouted Crocodile can grow up to a length of 4.2 m, but is usually about 2.5 m.