The Nile Crocodile
_C.niloticus_ comes ashore
Crocodylus niloticus

Appearance Subspecies Size Distribution Habitat Diet Hunting Croc & Hippo relationships Reproduction Dangers to man



The nile crocodile is the most well known crocodile. A lot like the American Alligator of the crocodiles.

Appearance

Due to it's very extensive range, the nile crocodile comes in many variations. These variations can be noticed in size, presence or absence of ventral osteoderms and many types of behaviours.

For example, the Nile crocodiles that live on the Grumeti river in Tanzania, attain one of the largest sizes of all Nile crocodiles. Their feeding behaviour is also different. Since they receive most of their food once a year, through a huge wildebeest migration which comes through the river, these crocs are very infrequent eaters. They will take some small prey, but won't eat much until the annual migration.

Juveniles tend to be a dark olive or dark brown coloration with black bands running along the body down to the tail.

Adults tend to be one uniform color, generally a dark brown or gray. The abdomen in both is light yellow or white in both juveniles and adults.

Subspecies

Due to it's considerable range and variation, Crocodylus niloticus has also been divided into a number of different subspecies based on snout morphology and distribution.

Mind you, these subspecies are rarely mentioned and not usually accepted, but they are there for all interested.

Crocodylus niloticus subspecies Common Names
C.n.suchus Central African Nile Crocodile
C.n.corviei South African Nile Crocodile
C.n.africanus The East African Nile Crocodile
C.n.chamses West African Nile Crocodile
C.n.niloticus Ethiopian Nile Crocodile
C.n.pauciscutatus Kenyan Nile Crocodile
C.n.madagascariensis The Malagasy Nile Crocodile or Croco Mada

Size

Nile crocodiles are one of three largest crocodiles that I have aptly named: Titan crocs. They are the biggest of the big and other than the Nile, they include: The Estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) and The Mugger/Marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris).

Your average Nile attains a length of around 4-5 meters (13-16 ft) while they have been known to reach 5.5 meters (18ft) and are believed to be able to attain lengths of up to 7 meters (23ft) with average weights between 1/2 a tonne to 11/2 tonnes.

Distribution

These are the most numerous of the African crocs and can be found over much of the subtropical and tropical areas of the continent. From the Nile river delta, the Meditteranean coast, Tunisia and Syria, to isolated populations found in the interior of Mauritania, Southeastern Algeria, Northeastern Chad and even in the Sahara Desert.

Habitat

These crocs will tolerate a number of different watery habitats. Lakes, rivers and mud wallows are all popular places for Niles to hang out (especially if these are highly frequented or the only water sources for miles).

Coastal populations (including the island bound Madagascar C.niloticus) indicate a rather high salt tolerance with at least some pelagic traveling. One croc was sighted 7 miles off the Zululand coast, and many crocs have been seen on the Islands of Zanzibar and in the river mouths of Kenya.

Diet

Hatchlings prey on insects, small crustaceans and any other small creatures that they can get their jaws on.

Juveniles generally move onto a more piscivorous diet, but will also take small mammals and birds.

Adults continue their piscivory but as size increases so do choices and Nile crocs are very cosmopolitan animals when it comes to prey. Zebra, wildebeest, antelope, warthogs, cattle & humans all are taken by large C.niloticus

Hunting

Due to their wide distribution and plentiful numbers, researchers have been able to conduct many studies and observations on these crocs. From these observations we are able to break down Nile croc hunting styles into two categories.

#1: Solitary Hunting

Beat'em to the punch A solitary Nile will patrol a river bank or lake and wait for possible prey items to come by. During this time they may chase and eat little fish or tackle large Nile perch to satisfy their hunger.

This may continue all day, with the croc patroling in the water and basking in the sun. Basically just lazing about (a common habit for top predators).

When night falls, things change. Foraging increases at night with Niles being known to corral small fish onto the shore by using their bodies as living dams and forcing the fish to either move into the shallows or risk escape through the ever so sensitive jaws.

At night if a large animal comes to drink, the croc will submerge itself and get in as close a position to the animal as possible. As soon as it has reached it's position, the croc braces it's legs and tail in the mud and launches itself onto the animal, snapping at any available bodypart. Once grabbed, the animal is dragged (and in the cases of really strong Niles, bodyslammed) into the water where the croc will either drown it or remove a important bodily organ (say a neck for instance). Eating is rather simple and to the point, though if the animal is of uncomfortable size for swallowing and won't stay still in order for it to be ripped apart, crocs have been known to brace the animal on roots or logs in order to achieve their goal, thus showing a reptilian form of tool use.

Niles will also hunt on land at night. This is rarely observed and mostly small animals and/or carrion are taken, but it does happen.

#2: Cooperative Hunting & Pack Hunting

Cooperative hunting & pack hunting are two cases that have been observed in populations of Nile crocs living in large bodies of water, or in very high traffic areas of rivers and lakes. In these cases we see groups of Nile crocs anywhere from 3 to 120 working together to bring down and then tear apart large prey animals.

Can you find the _C.niloticus_ :)

In cooperative hunting, say during a wildebeest migration, the crocs will one by one search out and strike at a certain target victim. Once one crocodile has grabbed hold, others join in to help bring the animal down into the water where it will drown. Crocs observed doing this during Zebra migrations are known to wait in strategic areas of the river where the target animal must cross. If one croc misses (and in high traffic attacks, there are more misses than strikes) another will attempt, thus increasing the chances of capturing a large meal.

Pack hunting has been seen in populations of crocs that have grown up and lived together. These animals may or may not be family members and these animals will actively find and attack the same animal. While in cooperative hunting, any available croc can join in, pack hunting tends to start and end with the same number of animals.

Pack hunting has been seen in Lake St. Lucia in South Africa. There, the crocs gather for the annual migration of shoalfish out of and into the lake from the Indian Ocean. This is for either spawning or feeding purposes and includes many different species of shoalfish. One in particular, the striped mullet (Mugil cephalus) the migration is a fairly constant event, one which attracts many crocodiles.

The crocodiles congregate in an area of the channel known as The Narrows, an area that is only 550 meters wide. There the crocs position themselves in a semi-lunar or straight line formation. By forming in this way, the crocodiles become living dams for the fish to pass by. Each croc maintains it's position and snaps up the fish as they try to get through. The crocs will stay until they are all full before breaking the dam.

Mmm..Zebra

Cooperative/pack feeding has also been well documented with Niles taking down large carcasses. The crocodiles will form lines around the carcass with two crocs holding onto the carcass from opposite ends. Then they will each take turns tearing at the animal and holding onto it for others. This will continue until every member has been fed. This is more of a pack feeding/social feeding event, as already full crocodiles will still help out the hungry ones.

In the same respect, if the prey is too big to swallow, but too small to brace, two crocs will share the piece with each other by each grabbing onto an end and tugging.

Elephants and Crocodiles

Elephants are animals that are considered by many to be immune to attacks from predators, but observations have shown that young animals have been attacked by Lions, Tigers, Hyenas and even crocodiles.

Observations on Nile crocs have shown that some crocs are so daring that they will take their chances with even adult elephants. A croc will come up to a drinking elephant and snap it's jaws on the animal's trunk. The snap generates so much force that it breaks the elephant's trunk, which in the long run tends to kill the elephant (since a broken trunk means that they cannot eat or drink). Elephants don't like having their trunks snapped off and so will grab the daring crocodile and either stamp it to death and hang it's mangled body in a tree, or fling the animal far away.

One individual was observed being kicked from one end of a watering hole all the way to the other side. The stunned crocodile got up and ran off, thus proving that some crocodiles will try just about anything.

Of Crocodiles and Hippos

Opposites attract?


Nile crocodiles are dangerous animals, but Hippotomami are even more dangerous. Hippos are responsible for more deaths in Africa every year, than crocodiles, lions or any other would be predators.

Yet even with such dangerous dispositions, Nile crocodiles and Hippos are known to frequent the same bodies of water and live together in harmony.

In many cases it seems to be a mutual tolerance, where one side of a lake or river belongs to the hippos and the other side belongs to the crocodiles, but there are cases in which their lifestyle extends a tad beyond tolerant.

Observations of hippos and crocs have shown that a hippo will sometimes wade into a group of Nile crocs and investigate the animal that they are tearing up and eating. Even further, there are occasions where the hippo will join in the feast. This last part is strange since hippos are usually considered strict herbivores. It does make sense when one sees the parts that the animal goes for. Generally hippos will tear open the stomach and intestines in the hopes of finding the creature's last meal. Since most prey items of crocodiles are herbivorous, the hippo has a good chance of finding some somewhat processed food to eat. This happens during bad droughts.

Hippos and crocs have been seen cooperating in the scaring off of intruders into their territory. Again this happens in times when there is no room for sharing.

Mother hippos have been seen placing their babies on beaches to rest next to large Niles while the mother goes off to sleep. The crocs tolerate the child (who may put spittle all over their tails) and offer (by their presence) a means of protection from lions and hyenas.

The same thing is true for crocodiles. Juvenile Niles have been seen climbing up and riding on the backs of wallowing hippos. This could both be for sunbathing and/or a free ride (maybe they do it to relive bygone days when they would ride on their mother and father's heads.)

The interspecial relationship between Nile crocodiles and hippos is truly an interesting one.

Reproduction

Courtship generally happens in special nesting areas, away from the usual spots. There, males will set up and vigorously defend their territories. This is accomplished by the showing of their backs, the raising of their heads high above the water followed by a loud head & jaw slap on the way down. Possible hissing and growling (Niles tend to be rather quiet in that area). If the intruder persists, the large male may then raise his head and torso out of the water, swell his neck, open his jaws and suddenly give chase through the shallows. The intruder will either be forced to make a speedy break onto land or face the male in a head to head bout which can become very messy. Lost pieces of tails, limbs and jaws have been documented in individuals who didn't clear out in time. Death is rare, but those who don't submit and leave can run the risk of such a fate.

Females have it much easier. They get free roam across the territories and in many cases will be the ones to initiate courtship. They do this by coming up to the male and submerging all but their rear ends. This will then be followed by mutual snout rubbing along the bodies. The male will continually rub the underside of his snout along the female so as to increase the glandular secretions near the mandibles (cologne for male crocs). This will be accompanied by the male submerging and blowing bubbles near the female.

Croc porn

If the female accepts the male, she will give the traditional submissive posture (raised head revealing throat) followed by a low guttural moan. At which point the male will mount her, twist his tail so has to bring their cloaca together and copulation begins. This embrace may last anywhere from 30 seconds to several minutes (the things guys will do for a couple of minutes of pleasure :)

After conception, the gravid females move off to set up their nests. If a unpopulated area, the female will lay her eggs alone in a hole in the sand that she makes herself. The hole delves down to the length of the female's hind legs (which she used to dig the nest). Nests are generally situated above the high flood level of the lake or river anywhere from 1-50 meters.

Two _C.niloticus_ argue over turf


In overpopulated nesting sites females become males. That is they battle over best nesting places. This battle is generally tame, with two females standing side by side on raised forelegs trying to push each other down, but vigorous battles occasionaly happen and painful bites and slashes can occur.

Group nesting

In a social group of Niles, the females will gather together at traditional nesting sites and lay their eggs in a group, with each female being no farther than a croc length from the other. Nesting groups tend to be circular so that females can more easily watch each other's nests.

Laying of the eggs takes between 20-30 minutes, during which time the females fall into a strange trance in which they are no longer aware of the outside world. This is a unique behaviour that seems to be typical of all egg laying reptiles and researchers can actually come up and pet the female (or in the case of Poachers, take the eggs) without her even caring. Clutch size is age dependent. Young females will lay between 16-20 eggs while older females can lay a whopping 80 eggs.

After egg laying, the nests are covered up and guarded for the next three months. Females tend to fast throughout this time, though group nesters may occasionally take turns going down for a nibble. Females will also remain over their nests during heavy rains to prevent possible drowning. Throughout this time females will attack any and all intruders into their nesting grounds. They will chase the intruder away, hissing and growling throughout the run.

Despite their valiant efforts, croc eggs still get taken by the dozens. One particular animal that is fond of croc eggs is the Nile monitor lizard (Varanus niloticus) which has been observed hunting in pairs with one individual distracting the female while the other goes in and removes the eggs.

In Jurassic Park...

After the 3 months are up, the hatchlings begin chirping for their mom (and occasionally dad as well) to break them free. At the same time, their ultrasonic chirps trigger the simultaneous hatching of the rest of the eggs.

Upon hearing her baby's cries, the female comes ashore and starts to dig them out. This can take many hours, as the female must dig through tightly packed dirt and occasionally plants that have grown on or near the nest site.

After successfully opening the nest, the eggs suddenly explode to life, with hatchlings coming out at a continuous pace. The babies will continue their ultrasonic chirps to their mom, along with rapid tail wagging to help grab her attention. The mother will then grab the babies into her mouth where they will rest in a pouch that descends from her lower jaw to accomodate them. Unhatched eggs will be taken, shaken to see if they are alive, then either gently cracked open to help the hatching baby, or discarded if found to be infertile. The mother's pouch can contain up to 20 babies, but for older females with large litters, this means return trips. If a male is present, then he too will help bring the babies down to their nursery pool, which increases the transfer rate of the young to safety.

The hatchlings will reside in a quiet nursery pool overhung by reeds where the female will watch over them for several weeks to several months. The babies will spend their time on "mommy's" head and back, or on top of each other on logs. They will also hunt around in the reeds for insects to fullfill their food requirements (babies must eat 5% of their weight in food a day). At the slightest sign of danger, the mother will rapidly vibrate her trunk muscles and the babies will dive into the water and submerge until the mother has given the all clear sign. Both male and female crocodiles have been observed leaping out of the water at low flying predatory birds in order to scare them away from the babies.

A creche of cute crocodylians

After leaving their parents, the hatchlings (though now they are juveniles) stick together in creches. If one of them gets lost he can call out for help and the creche members will help him back to safety. Also, if a juvenile should find himself in trouble, he/she can call out a distress call which will bring any nearby crocodiles running/swimming to the rescue.

Socially raised babies will later join the group to help take down larger animals, or perhaps to ride on the back of hippos and watch the adults do their thing.

Dangers to Man

As one of the three titan crocs, Niles are definite man eaters, and many individuals are known to attack and kill unwary humans. For that reason (and the aggressive temperment that seems to permeate the creaturnalities of all African animals) people should watch themselves around large bodies of water in Africa.

On the other side of the coin, many Nile crocodiles were killed and harvested for their skins. Many Nile habitats have been destroyed in order to accomodate human agriculture which has made some populations extinct in regions where they once thrived (for instance: Egypt). So humans have taken more than their fair share of crocodiles.

Nile crocodiles make for interesting animals to observe, study and appreciate in their natural environments. They are indeed just as much an interesting part of the African fauna as lions and Elephants. They also give us a glimpse into what life might have been like millions of years ago.


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