Common Name:Nile Crocodile
Scientific Name:Crocodylus Niloticus
Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Subphylum: Vertebrata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Family:Crocodilia
Toxicity :Crocodylidae
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian that lives in freshwater habitats in Africa. There it is present in 26 countries. The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year. The Nile crocodile is one of the largest crocodilian species. Females are noticeably smaller than males. Their bodies are streamlined, the tails are long and sturdy, and the hind feet are webbed. Nile crocodiles have long and powerful jaws, which perfectly fit catching and holding the prey. Due to a special valve, found at the back of their throat, these crocodiles can move underwater with an open mouth, and grab and hold prey without ingesting water. Nile crocodiles are grey-olive in color and have yellowish bellies. Young individuals are identified by greenish or dark olive-brown coloration and black-colored cross-banding all over the body and tail. As they grow up, the banding on their bodies becomes fainter.
Nile crocodiles are found across Sub-Saharan Africa. They most frequently occur in the central, eastern, and southern regions of Africa as well as Western Madagascar.
Nile crocodiles can live in a broad range of habitat types, including small brackish streams, fast-flowing rivers, swamps, dams, and tidal lakes and estuaries. In East Africa, they are found mostly in rivers, lakes, marshes, and dams, favoring open, broad bodies of water over smaller ones. They are often found in waters adjacent to various open habitats such as savanna or even semi-desert but can also acclimate to well-wooded swamps, extensively wooded riparian zones, waterways of other woodlands, and the perimeter of forests. In Madagascar, the remnant population of Nile crocodiles has adapted to living within caves. Although not a regular sea-going species, the Nile crocodile possesses salt glands like all true crocodiles and may occasionally enter coastal and even marine waters.
Nile crocodiles have a polygynous mating system, where one male mates with a number of females. Male crocodiles usually attract receptive females, making a wide variety of noises through bellowing, slapping their snouts in the water, or blowing water of out their noses. Meanwhile, larger males are typically more successful in finding mates. The nesting season in this species occurs in November-December. During this period, a female crocodile digs a nest, which is a hole in a riverbank or sandy river bed. Then, 25-80 eggs are laid and incubated for 80 - 90 days. When the hatching time approaches, the female opens the nest, carrying her offspring to the water. After a while, the young join a crèche of juveniles, which is looked after by females. The hatchlings can remain in this crèche for the first 2 years of their lives. Nile crocodiles become reproductively mature at 12-16 years old.
Nile crocodiles are carnivores and scavengers. They feed upon a wide variety of animal species, including insects, amphibians, fish, and land mammals such as giraffes or Cape buffaloes. Newly hatched crocodiles usually start with insects, eventually going over to larger prey. Nile crocodiles also scavenge or steal kills from other predators, such as lions and leopards, and groups of Nile crocodiles may travel hundreds of meters from a waterway to feast on a carcass. They will also readily feed on dead hippopotamuses.
The primary threats to this species have to do with humans. Thus, the reptile attracts hunters for its skin, which is used in the production of high-quality leather. On the other hand, being large and dangerous predators, the Nile crocodiles face aggression from humans, who destruct their nests and frequently kill the crocodiles. Attempting to remove caught fish from fishing nets, these animals occasionally damage the nets, which leads to conflict between the crocodiles and fishermen.
Least Concern