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Nile crocodile with jaws open

Nile crocodile

Nile crocodiles are the much feared reptilian predators of Africa's rivers and lakes. Lurking almost totally submerged in the water, they lie in wait for passing prey. Once caught in those long powerful jaws, little escapes, not even large buffalo and wildebeest, which get dragged into the water and drowned. Their large bodies and long tails hide some pretty quick reflexes and quite fast bursts of speed. Nile crocodiles are extremely attentive and protective parents, with a surprisingly delicate touch. Strange as it may seem, their nests and young hatchlings are very vulnerable to predators.

Scientific name: Crocodylus niloticus

Rank: Species

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Distribution

Map showing the distribution of the Nile crocodile taxa

Species range provided by WWF's Wildfinder.

The Nile crocodile can be found in a number of locations including: Africa, Madagascar. Find out more about these places and what else lives there.

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.

Behaviours

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

Additional data source: Animal Diversity Web

Conservation Status

Least Concern

  1. EX - Extinct
  2. EW
  3. CR - Threatened
  4. EN - Threatened
  5. VU - Threatened
  6. NT
  7. LC - Least concern

Year assessed: 1996

Classified by: IUCN 2.3

About

Deuterostomia

The Nile crocodile or common crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is an African crocodile which is common in Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, Kenya, Egypt, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Gabon, South Africa, Malawi, Sudan, South Sudan, Botswana, and Cameroon. Isolated populations also exist in Madagascar and in Senegal.

Read more at Wikipedia

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