Common Name:

Crocodile (Nile)

Hunting:

No

Location:

Mhlosinga and Surrounding Areas

Description:

Large, lizard-shaped reptile with four short legs and a long muscular tail. The hide is rough and scaled. Juvenile Nile crocodiles are dark olive to brown with darker crossbands on tail and body. Adults are uniformly dark with darker crossbands on tail.

Images:

Info:

They have distinctive features such as long jaws, protective armour, streamlined body and long tail. These, together with various anatomical and physiological adaptations, make the crocodile perfectly suited to an aquatic and predatory lifestyle. Their features have changed very little from those of their prehistoric ancestors, proving that their body form has been highly successful in nature.

Range:

Habitat:

Rivers, freshwater marshes, estuaries, and mangrove swamps

Diet:

Up to 70% of the adult diet is fish. Other prey items may include zebras, hippos, porcupines, pangolins, and migrating widebeest.

Size:

Male: Averaging approximately 5 m (16 ft.) with maximum size of roughly 6 m (20 ft.)
Female: Averaging approximately 5 m (16 ft.) with maximum size of roughly 6 m (20 ft.)

Incubation:

Approximately 3 months Females nest in November and December on sandy shorelines, dry stream beds, o

Sexual Maturity:

Male: Relates to size: Males are mature at roughly 3 m (10 ft.); approximately 10 years of age
Female: Relates to size: Females are mature at roughly 2 m (6.5 ft.); approximately 10 years of age

Life Span:

Average approximately 45 years in the wild, may live up to 80 years in captivity

Status:

IUCN Not listed
CITES Not listed
USFWS Threatened

Spoor:

Source:

Submitted by:

Mhlosinga