nile crocodile

The color of adults is quite variable, ranging from brown to gray. Their belly is always light in color. Juveniles are olive-brown, with dark stripes on the tail and body.

The head is triangular with a broad snout.

As in other Crocodylus, the sharp teeth are clearly visible.

The nile crocodile is at the top of the food chain. It is a carnivore, opportunistic, and feeds primarily on crustaceans, fish, amphibians, and lizards. Larger individuals can also hunt mammals. Juveniles feed on insects or small amphibians. Adults hunt day and night.

During hunting, cooperative techniques have been observed: when capturing a large prey, two crocodiles can each bite off a piece and dismember the prey for easier consumption.

Like other crocodiles, individuals of this species must regulate their body temperature by alternating between periods of immersion in water and periods in the sun. The alternation helps maintain a temperature between 19°C and 29°C. The warming of the body helps the animal digest its meals.

In South Africa, during the dry and cool season, some specimens are also capable of hibernating by retreating into caves until temperatures rise again.

In their movements, crocodiles are as agile on land as they are in water. Their powerful tail also allows them to propel themselves in water.

Although solitary, these crocodiles are capable of communicating with each other through roars. This growl is mainly used during the mating season. Newly hatched young can also emit this type of cry to seek protection from their mother.

Adults have no predators, but juveniles are particularly vulnerable. They may be preyed upon by large fish, wild cats, or raccoons.

Reproduction is seasonal, during the rainy season from November to April. During this period, dominant males will mate with several females on their territory.

The female then digs a nest on the bank, similar to turtles. She lays 35 to 50 eggs which will incubate for 75 to 95 days before hatching. The mother will defend her nest throughout this period. After birth, she will guard her young for 6 to 8 weeks.

The sex of crocodiles is determined by the temperature of the nest: males are born when the temperature is between 31 and 34°C. Females are born with lower or higher temperatures. The minimum temperature of the nest must be 28°C: below that, the eggs will not hatch.

As hatching approaches, the young make cries to alert the mother. She then clears the nest and helps the young to hatch from the eggs. At birth, they measure about twenty centimeters. She then carries each young in her mouth to the nearest water.

More than half of crocodile eggs will not hatch, due to infertility, too high nest temperatures, flooding that would wash away the nest, etc. The newborns themselves will be easy prey for fish, birds. Ultimately, only a limited number of individuals will reach adulthood.

Sexual maturity occurs around 2.6m for females and 3.1m for males.