Nile crocodile

Distribution

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.

Habitats

The following habitats are found across the Nile crocodile distribution range. Find out more about these environments, what it takes to live there and what else inhabits them.

• Desert
• Estuaries
• Flooded grassland
• Lakes and ponds
• Mangroves
• Rivers and streams
• Swamp
• Tropical dry forest
• Tropical grassland
• Rainforest

Behaviours

Discover what these behaviours are and how different plants and animals use them.

• Ambush predator
• Adapted to swimming
• Camouflage
• Carnivorous
• Hierarchical
• Aestivation
• Acoustic communication
• Maternal care
• Egg layer
• Active at birth
• Predator
• Scavenger
• Territorial
• Heat tolerant
• Torpor

About

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is an African crocodile and the second largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile. The Nile crocodile is quite widespread throughout sub-saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the central, eastern and southern parts of the continent and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers and marshlands. Although capable of living in saline environments, this species is rarely found in saltwater, but occasionally inhabits deltas and brackish lakes. The range of this species once stretched northward throughout the Nile, as far north as the Nile delta. Prehistoric populations occurred as far as Israel. On average the Nile crocodile is between 4.1 metres (13 ft) to 5 metres (16 ft), weighing around 410 kg (900 lb). However, specimens measuring 6.1 metres (20 ft) in length and weighing 900 kg (2,000 lb) are not uncommon. They have thick scaly skin that is heavily armored.

The Nile crocodile is an opportunistic apex predator and a very aggressive species of crocodile that is capable of taking almost any animal within its range. They are generalists, taking a variety of prey. Their diet consists mostly of different species of fish, reptiles, birds and mammals. The Nile crocodile is an ambush predator and can wait for hours, days and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. They are quite agile predators and wait for the opportunity for the prey item to come close within the range of attack. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. Like other crocodiles, Nile crocodiles have an extremely powerful bite that is unique amongst all animals and sharp conical teeth that sink into flesh allowing for a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. They can apply high levels of force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown.

Nile crocodiles are very social crocodiles. They share basking spots and large food sources such as schools of fish and big carcasses. There is a strict hierarchy, that is determined by size. Large, old males are at the top of this hierarchy and have primary access to food and best basking spots. Crocodiles know their place in the hierarchical order and rarely act against it, but when they do, the results are very bloody and sometimes even fatal. Like other reptiles, Nile crocodiles lay eggs to reproduce, which are guarded by the female. The hatchlings are also protected for a period of time, but hunt by themselves and are not fed by the parents. The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for the hundreds of deaths of humans every year. It is a rather common species of crocodile and is not endangered.

Read more at Wikipedia