Animals On Earth: Africa

Nile Crocodile

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large native to habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. It is widely distributed in , occurring mostly in the eastern, southern, and central regions of the continent, and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers, swamps, and other wet areas of africa. It occasionally inhabits and brackish lakes and rarely also saltwater. Its range once stretched from the throughout the . in has one of the largest undisturbed Nile crocodile populations.

Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5 m (11 ft 6 in and 16 ft 5 in) in length and weighs 225 to 750 kg (496 to 1,653 lb). However, specimens exceeding 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight have been recorded. It is the largest predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest reptile in the world, after the (Crocodylus porosus). Size is , with females usually about 30% smaller than males. The crocodile has thick, scaly, heavily armoured skin.

Nile crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators; a very aggressive crocodile, they are capable of taking almost any animal within their range. They are , taking a variety of prey, with a diet consisting mostly of different species of fish, reptiles, birds, and . As , they can wait for hours, days, and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. They are agile and wait for the opportunity for a prey item to come well within attack range. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. Like other crocodiles, Nile crocodiles have a powerful that is unique among all animals, and sharp, conical that sink into flesh, allowing a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. They can apply high force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey like wildebeest and even cheetahs underwater to drown.

Recent studies have found that crocodiles and their relatives are highly intelligent animals capable of sophisticated behavior such as advanced parental care, complex communication and use of tools for hunting.

The female digs a hole a few metres from the bank and up to 0.5 m (20 in) deep, and lays on average between 25 and 80 eggs.

One unusual characteristic of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, mother and father Nile crocs ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch, and they will often roll the eggs gently in their mouths to help hatching babies emerge.

The mother's eggs are vulnerable to predators. Nile monitors, shoebills, marabou storks, mongooses, and baboons are among the animals that eat them.

The fastest crocodile in the world is likely the Nile crocodile, found in and around the Nile River in Africa, which can reach speeds of up to 35 kilometers per hour, or 19 to 22 miles per hour. The saltwater crocodile is slightly slower, reaching speeds of around 29 kph, or 15-18 mph.