They also scavenge or steal kills from other predators, such as lions and leopards (Panthera pardus). The Nile crocodile has historically been recorded in areas where they are now regionally extinct. [20] They have a rich vocal range and good hearing. Dangerous Nile Crocodiles. [26] Though the Nile crocodile has been hunted since ancient times,[123] the advent of the readily available firearm made it much easier to kill these potentially dangerous reptiles. [14] The hatchlings are also protected for a period of time, but hunt by themselves and are not fed by the parents.[11][15]. [75][76][77] In Madagascar, the remnant population of Nile crocodiles has adapted to living within caves. [10] Nile crocodiles may make use of ephemeral watering holes on occasion. The IUCN Red List assesses the Nile crocodile as "Least Concern (LR/lc)". Crocodiles are generally shy and reclusive animals, but they can be extremely dangerous when they feel threatened or when they are hunting for food. [6][7] However, specimens exceeding 6.1m (20ft) in length and 1,000kg (2,200lb) in weight have been recorded. If the temperature inside the nest is below 31.7C (89.1F), or above 34.5C (94.1F), the offspring will be female. [9], An estimated 10% of eggs will survive to hatch and a mere 1% of young that hatch will successfully reach adulthood. Crocodiles have powerful jaws with many conical teeth and short legs with clawed webbed toes. African fish eagles can take crocodile hatchlings up to a few months of age and honey badgers can prey on yearlings. [23], Herodotus claimed that Nile crocodiles have a symbiotic relationship with certain birds, such as the Egyptian plover (Pluvianus aegyptius), which enter the crocodile's mouth and pick leeches feeding on the crocodile's blood, but no evidence of this interaction actually occurring in any crocodile species has been found, and it is most likely mythical or allegorical fiction. The Nile crocodile four of which have been found in the state's swamps since 2000are more dangerous than the native crocodiles and alligators, scientists say. Smaller specimens can gallop, and even larger individuals are capable of occasional, surprising bursts of speed, briefly reaching up to 14km/h (8.7mph). [10], The Nile crocodile possesses unique predation behavior characterized by the ability of preying both within water, where it is best adapted, and out of it, which often results in unpredictable attacks on almost any other animal up to twice its size. Crocodiles are not only one of the most dangerous . More or less, the size of the tendons used to impart bite force increases with body size and the larger the crocodilian gets, the stronger its bite is likely to be. With a geographic home range spanning most of Africa, save the Sahara, and part of Madagascar, the Nile crocodile is at home in various habitats made up of freshwater lakes and streams and brackish waters. Storrs G. W. (2003). Yes, these powerful crocodiles have the ability to eat humans. In the water, this species is an agile and rapid hunter relying on both movement and pressure sensors to catch any prey unfortunate enough to present itself inside or near the waterfront. The Nile crocodile is the top predator in its environment, and is responsible for checking the population of mesopredator species, such as the barbel catfish and lungfish, that could overeat fish populations on which other species, including birds, rely. While the natural population in these areas may be lower due to a less-than-ideal environment and competition with sympatric slender-snouted and dwarf crocodiles, extirpation may be a serious threat in some of these areas. Found in the freshwater regions, the Nile crocodile is native to Africa. [12][23], The mouths of Nile crocodiles are filled with 64 to 68 sharply pointed, cone-shaped teeth (about a dozen less than alligators have). Miscellaneous examples of areas in the last few decades with a dozen or more fatal crocodile attacks annually include Korogwe District, Tanzania, Niassa Reserve, Mozambique and the area around Lower Zambezi National Park, Zambia. The benefits of this are presumably that nest flooding risk is considerably reduced at this time and the stage at which hatchlings begin their lives out of the egg falls roughly at the beginning of the rainy season, when water levels are still relatively low but insect prey is in recovery. Although Burmese pythons which are the invasive python species in . [78] Although not a regular sea-going species as is the American crocodile, and especially the saltwater crocodile, the Nile crocodile possesses salt glands like all true crocodiles (i.e., excluding alligators and caimans), and does on occasion enter coastal and even marine waters. They can apply high force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown. They are the second largest crocodile and are more dangerous than the native crocodiles and alligators in Florida. Do Nile crocodiles eat humans? In the northern extremes of the distribution (i.e. bbc. [57][105] Cott noted little detectable discrepancy in the mating habits of Nile crocodiles and American alligators. [33] Pooley found in Royal Natal National Park that during aestivation, young crocodiles of 60 to 90cm (24 to 35in) total length would dig tunnels around 1.2 to 1.8m (3ft 11in to 5ft 11in) in depth for most, with some tunnels measuring more than 2.7m (8ft 10in), the longest there being 3.65m (12ft 0in). [45][46], The Nile crocodile is the largest crocodilian in Africa, and is generally considered the second-largest crocodilian after the saltwater crocodile. [89], Nile crocodiles have been widely known to have gastroliths in their stomachs, which are stones swallowed by animals for various purposes. Most hunting on land is done at night by lying in ambush near forest trails or roadsides, up to 50m (170ft) from the water's edge. [23][26] In Lake St. Lucia, highly saline water has been pumped into the already brackish waters due to irrigation practices. Nile crocodiles normally crawl along on their bellies, but they can also "high walk" with their trunks raised above the ground. The conservation situation is more grim in Central and West Africa presumably for both the Nile and West African crocodiles. C. anthropophagus and C. thorbjarnarsoni were both somewhat larger, with projected total lengths up to 7.57.6m (24ft 7in 24ft 11in). Their strict hierarchy is determined by size. Some crocodiles of the species may habitually use their tails to sweep terrestrial prey off balance, sometimes forcing the prey specimen into the water, where it can be more easily drowned. [11][80], Nile crocodiles have been recently captured in South Florida, though no signs that the population is reproducing in the wild have been found. [68][69] However in 2022 a skull of Crocodylus from Madagascar was found to be around 7,500 years old based on radiocarbon dating, suggesting that the extinction of Voay post-dates the arrival of Nile crocodiles on Madagascar. These have consisted of C. n. africanus (informally named the East African Nile crocodile), C. n. chamses (the West African Nile crocodile), C. n. cowiei (the South African Nile crocodile), C. n. madagascariensis (the Malagasy or Madagascar Nile crocodile, regionally also known as the croco Mada, which translates to Malagasy crocodile), C. n. niloticus (the Ethiopian Nile crocodile; this would be the nominate subspecies), C. n. pauciscutatus (the Kenyan Nile crocodile) and C. (n.) suchus (now widely considered a separate species). However, unlike other "man-eating" crocodile species, including the saltwater crocodile, the Nile crocodile lives in close proximity to human populations through most of its range, so contact is more frequent. The Nile Crocodile: The Most Dangerous Crocodile In Africa. However, the muscles responsible for opening the mouth are exceptionally weak, allowing a person to easily hold them shut, and even larger crocodiles can be brought under control by the use of duct tape to bind the jaws together. It is widely distributed in sub-Saharan Africa, 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 marshlands. In crocodiles between these distributions egg-laying is in intermediate months, often focused between April and July. They grab such prey in their powerful jaws, drag it into the water, and hold it underneath until it drowns. Webb, and S.C. Manolis. In Florida, everything from native birds, fish and mammals to the state's native crocodile and alligator would be fair game for the . [102][126] Crocodile farming is one of the few burgeoning industries in Zimbabwe. Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5m (11ft 6in and 16ft 5in) in length and weighs 225 to 750kg (500 to 1,650lb). Incautious human behavior is the primary drive behind crocodile attacks. [4] In West Africa, it occurs along with two other crocodilians. crocodile, (order Crocodylia, or Crocodilia), any of 23 species of generally large, ponderous, amphibious animals of lizard-like appearance and carnivorous habit belonging to the reptile order Crocodylia. Nile crocodiles are the largest freshwater predators in Africa. Crocodiles & alligators of the world. Among crocodilians today, only the saltwater crocodile occurs over a broader geographic area,[64] although other species, especially the spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus) (due to its small size and extreme adaptability in habitat and flexibility in diet), seem to actually be more abundant. [24] The distributional boundaries between these species were poorly understood, but following several studies, they are now better known. .mw-parser-output table.clade{border-spacing:0;margin:0;font-size:100%;line-height:100%;border-collapse:separate;width:auto}.mw-parser-output table.clade table.clade{width:100%;line-height:inherit}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label{min-width:0.2em;width:0.1em;padding:0 0.15em;vertical-align:bottom;text-align:center;border-left:1px solid;border-bottom:1px solid;white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label::before,.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel::before{content:"\2060 "}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-fixed-width{overflow:hidden;text-overflow:ellipsis}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-fixed-width:hover{overflow:visible}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label.first{border-left:none;border-right:none}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-label.reverse{border-left:none;border-right:1px solid}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel{padding:0 0.15em;vertical-align:top;text-align:center;border-left:1px solid;white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel:hover{overflow:visible}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel.last{border-left:none;border-right:none}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-slabel.reverse{border-left:none;border-right:1px solid}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-bar{vertical-align:middle;text-align:left;padding:0 0.5em;position:relative}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-bar.reverse{text-align:right;position:relative}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leaf{border:0;padding:0;text-align:left}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leafR{border:0;padding:0;text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.clade td.clade-leaf.reverse{text-align:right}.mw-parser-output table.clade:hover span.linkA{background-color:yellow}.mw-parser-output table.clade:hover span.linkB{background-color:green}, Crocodylus johnstoni Freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus novaeguineae New Guinea crocodile, Crocodylus mindorensis Philippine crocodile, Adult Nile crocodiles have a dark bronze colouration above, with faded blackish spots and stripes variably appearing across the back and a dingy off-yellow on the belly, although mud can often obscure the crocodile's actual colour. In the largest size range studied by Cott, 45m (13ft 1in 16ft 5in), they were the second most likely to either have full stomachs (10%) or empty stomachs (20%). 'Gustave' got his name from one of the herpetologists who studied him. (2013). The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous animals in Africa and is responsible for numerous human deaths each year. [11][10][117], Conservation organizations have determined that the main threats to Nile crocodiles, in turn, are loss of habitat, pollution, hunting, and human activities such as accidental entanglement in fishing nets. (1997). In such a trance, some mother Nile crocodiles may show no discernable reaction even if pelted with stones. [31] [10] However, mouth-gaping (while essential to thermoregulation) may also serve as a threat display to other crocodiles. Nile crocodiles are massive and can be aggressive. [18][97] The Nile crocodile is a strong example of an apex predator. [11][57] The full range of causes for mortality of young Nile crocodiles is not well understood, as very young and small Nile crocodiles or well-concealed nests are only sporadically observed. Their maximum length is also much larger than the maximum for a female saltwater crocodile, which, compared to its male counterpart, only grows to be around 10 feet in length. [85], Generally, Nile crocodiles are relatively inert creatures, as are most crocodilians and other large, cold-blooded creatures. It has a bite force that's five times more powerful than a lion. Crocodiles in aestivation are lethargic, entering a state similar to animals that hibernate. Successful sustainable-yield programs focused on ranching crocodiles for their skins have been successfully implemented in this area, and even countries with quotas are moving toward ranching. The mother Nile crocodile deposits the eggs in the terminal chamber and packs the sand or earth back over the nest pit. Living in the rich biosphere of Africa south of the Sahara, the Nile crocodile may come into contact with other large predators. Large, old males are at the top of this hierarchy and have first access to food and the best basking spots. [99] Most conflicts over food occur near the water and can literally lead to a tug-of-war over a carcass that can end either way, although seldom is there any serious fighting or bloodshed between the large carnivores. The nesting season can fall in nearly every month of the year. [25] The separation of the two is not recognized by the IUCN as their last evaluations of the group was in 2008 and 2009,[2][26] years before the primary publications supporting the distinctiveness of the West African crocodiles. [12][35] Hatchlings quickly lose a hardened piece of skin on the top of their mouths called the egg tooth, which they use to break through their eggshells at hatching. Nile crocodiles are timid compared to other large crocodilians but if they feel threatened they will attack without . Nests have been recorded seldom in concealed positions such as under a bush or in grasses, but normally in open spots on the bank. [34][37] The Nile crocodile shares with all crocodilians a nictitating membrane to protect the eyes and lachrymal glands to cleanse its eyes with tears. However, when size differences are prominent, the predators may prey on each other. [10][57][147], Most biologists who have engaged in months or even years of field work with Nile crocodiles, including Cott (1961), Graham and Beard (1968) and Guggisberg (1972), have found that with sufficient precautions, their own lives and the lives of their local guides were rarely, if ever, at risk in areas with many crocodiles. According to Graham and Beard (1968), Nile crocodile meat has an "indescribable" and unpleasant taste, greasy texture and a "repellent" smell.[57][128]. 5. [59] In attempts to parse the mean male and female lengths across the species, the mean adult length was estimated to be reportedly 4m (13ft 1in) in males, at which males would average about 280kg (620lb) in weight, while that of the female is 3.05m (10ft 0in), at which females would average about 116kg (256lb). Black Mamba Photo by Envato Elements Next on our list of the most dangerous animals in Tanzania is the Black Mamba. When crocodile nests are dug out and the young placed in water by the mother, in areas such as Royal Natal National Park predators can essentially enter a feeding frenzy. [36] The Nile crocodile has fewer osteoderms on the belly, which are much more conspicuous on some of the more modestly sized crocodilians. [13] Like most other reptiles, Nile crocodiles lay eggs; these are guarded by the females and males, making the Nile crocodiles one of few reptile species whose males contribute to parental care. Three things make the crocodile fearsome. While, like all crocodilians, the Nile crocodile digs out a hole for a nest site, unlike most other modern crocodilians, female Nile crocodiles bury their eggs in sand or soil rather than incubate them in rotting vegetation. [116] The new mother will protect her offspring for up to two years, and if there are multiple nests in the same area, the mothers may form a crche. It also sometimes referred to as the African crocodile, Ethiopian crocodile, and common crocodile. [9][16] Crocodiles as small as 2.1m (6ft 11in) are capable of overpowering and successfully preying on small apes and hominids, presumably including children and smaller adult humans, but a majority of fatal attacks on humans are by crocodiles reportedly exceeding 3m (9ft 10in) in length. [10][96][97] Small carnivores are readily taken opportunistically, including African clawless otters (Aonyx capensis)[98]. Most of the predators of eggs also opportunistically eat young crocodiles, including monitors and marabous, plus almost all co-existing raptorial birds, including vultures, eagles, and large owls and buzzards. Other crocodile species that are potentially dangerous to humans include the saltwater crocodile, the American crocodile, and the estuarine . And now, the State is hosting a much more dangerous animal, and no one is sure how it got there. [11][108][109][110] The behaviour of the female Nile crocodile is considered unpredictable and may be driven by the regional extent of prior human disturbance and human persecution rather than natural variability. Interested in finding out the most dangerous animals in Africa? More time is spent in water on overcast, rainy, or misty days. [26][129] At some point in the 20th century, the Nile crocodile appeared to have been extirpated as a breeding species from Egypt, but has locally re-established in some areas such as the Aswan Dam. There are four main types: Nile crocodile Slender-snouted crocodile West African crocodile Dwarf crocodile They populate almost the entire continent; only northern countries can escape their beady eyes and snapping jaws. Adamson, J. The hatchlings grow approximately that length each year for the first several years. Crocodylus SPECIES Crocodylus niloticus Population size 250-500 Thou Life Span 50-80 years Top speed 35 km/h mph Weight 225-500 kg lbs Length 3.5-6 m ft The Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian that lives in freshwater habitats in Africa. Dangerous reptiles . Many "large waders" are virulent predators of crocodile hatchlings, from dainty little egrets (Egretta garzetta) and compact hamerkops (Scopus umbretta) to towering saddle-billed storks (Ephippiorhynchus senegalensis), goliath herons and shoebills (Balaeniceps rex). [102] Crocodile 'protection programs' are artificial environments where crocodiles exist safely and without the threat of extermination from hunters. The Nile crocodile is called[17] timsah al-nil in Arabic, mamba in Swahili, garwe in Shona, ngwenya in Ndebele, ngwena in Venda, kwena in Sotho and Tswana, and tanin ha-yeor in Hebrew. In Africa, it is the most dangerous crocodile, with a bite force that is five times more powerful than that of a lion. [5] Although capable of living in saline environments, this species is rarely found in saltwater, but occasionally inhabits deltas and brackish lakes. These large predators will typically take down a juvenile or small crocodile, as an adult nile crocodile is too large and dangerous for most animals to take on. Number Three: The African lion is the Dangerous Mammal in the Nile River. 1. More than half of the crocodiles observed by Cott (1961), if not disturbed, spent the hours from 9:00a.m. to 4:00p.m. continuously basking with their jaws open if conditions were sunny. In their native Africa, nile crocodiles and African rock pythons have been known to fight with each other. This predator can destroy about 50% of studied Nile crocodile eggs on its own, often being successful (as are other nest predators) in light of the trance-like state that the mother crocodile enters while brooding or taking advantage of moments where she is distracted or needs to leave the nest. Saltwater and Nile crocodiles are responsible for far more human deaths than alligators. Nile crocodile Digital Vision/Getty Images. In the . The ecology and physiology of the Nile crocodile. What happens if this venomous snake bites you? [27][28][32] As well as being larger, C. anthropophagus and C. thorbjarnarsoni, as well as Rimasuchus spp., were all relatively broad-snouted, indicating a specialization at hunting sizeable prey, such as large mammals and freshwater turtles, the latter much larger than any in present-day Africa. The binomial name Crocodylus niloticus is derived from the Greek , kroke ("pebble"), , drilos ("worm"), referring to its rough skin; and niloticus, meaning "from the Nile River". 10. [11] Per Graham (1968), the average length and weight of a large sample of adult crocodiles from Lake Turkana (formerly known as Lake Rudolf), Kenya was 3.66m (12ft 0in) and body mass of 201.6kg (444lb). The large majority of fatal attacks are from only two species, the Nile crocodile and the saltwater crocodile. The Nile crocodile is widely distributed, with strong, documented populations in many countries in eastern and southern Africa, including Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Zambia and Zimbabwe. [92] No matter where they attack prey, this and other crocodilians take practically all of their food by ambush, needing to grab their prey in a matter of seconds to succeed. Etymology The word crocodile comes from the Ancient Greek krokdilos ( ) meaning 'lizard', used in the phrase ho krokdilos tou potamo, "the lizard of the ( Nile) river". [10][101] After this stage, crocodiles may loosely associate with similarly sized crocodiles and many enter feeding congregations of crocodiles once they attain 2m (6ft 7in), at which size predators and cannibal crocodiles become much less of a concern. [91] Out of water, however, the Nile crocodile can only rely on its limbs, as it gallops on solid ground, to chase prey. [10] Once their prey is dead, they rip off and swallow chunks of flesh. Some variation occurs relative to environment; specimens from swift-flowing waters tend to be lighter in colour than those dwelling in murkier lakes or swamps, which provides camouflage that suits their environment, an example of clinal variation. Occasionally, if regular food becomes scarce, both lions and the crocodile will steal kills on land from each other and, depending on size, will be dominant over one another. Since a majority of fatal attacks are believed to be predatory in nature, the Nile crocodile can be considered the most prolific predator of humans among wild animals. Once they reach their juvenile stage, large African rock pythons and big cats remain as the only predatory threat to young crocodiles. [101] Earlier studies support that breeding is often inconsistent in females less than 3m (9ft 10in) and clutch size is smaller, a female at 2.75m (9ft 0in) reportedly never lays more than 35 eggs, while a female measuring 3.64m (11ft 11in) can expect a clutch of up to 95 eggs. [16] It is common and is not endangered, despite some regional declines or extirpations. As they mature, Nile crocodiles become darker and the cross-bands fade, especially those on the upper-body. [33] The crocodile mainly hunts land animals by almost fully submerging its body under water. It is thought the Nile crocodile cannot nest under heavy forest cover as can two of the three other African crocodiles because they do not use rotting leaves (a very effective method of producing heat for the eggs) and thus require sunlight on sand or soil the surface of the egg chamber to provide the appropriate warmth for embryo development. [10][106] The female may urinate sporadically on the soil to keep it moist, which prevents soil from hardening excessively. [95] Two subadult crocodiles were once seen carrying the carcass of a nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) across land in unison. These resident carnivores can be found at every corner of the continent, from the west Atlantic coast across the East African Rift. [11][10], Hatchling Nile crocodiles are between 280 and 300mm (11 and 12in) long at first and weigh around 70g (2.5oz). The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. Richardson, K.C., G.J.W. [9], The bite force exerted by an adult Nile crocodile has been shown by Brady Barr to measure 22kN (5,000lbf). For example, in Lake Turkana, Kenya, 48.4% of crocodiles had empty stomachs. Zisadza-Gandiwa, P., Gandiwa, E., Jakarasi, J., van der Westhuizen, H., & Muvengwi, J. The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year. Some deaths of crocodiles appeared to have been caused by this dangerous salinity, and this one-time stronghold for breeding crocodiles has experienced a major population decline. [11][48][33][56], An old male individual, named "Big Daddy", housed at Mamba Village Centre, Mombasa, Kenya is considered to be one of the largest living Nile crocodiles in captivity. [24][27][28][29][30][31] The fossil species C. checchiai from the Miocene in Kenya was about the same size as the extant African Nile crocodiles and shared similar physical characteristics to this specific species. [49] The bulk and mass of individual crocodiles can be fairly variable, some animals being relatively slender, while others being very robust; females are often bulkier than males of a similar length. Crocodiles tend to respect this order; when it is infringed, the results are often violent and sometimes fatal. Communal nesting areas also reported from Lake Victoria (up until the 1930s) and also in the 20th century at Rahad River, Lake Turkana and Malawi. [11] Other studies have also shown a large number of adult Nile crocodiles with empty stomachs. [25][74], Nile crocodiles may be able to tolerate an extremely broad range of habitat types, including small brackish streams, fast-flowing rivers, swamps, dams, and tidal lakes and estuaries. [33][35] Their skin has a number of poorly understood integumentary sense organs that may react to changes in water pressure, presumably allowing them to track prey movements in the water. [57][101][103] In the Olifants River in South Africa, rainfall influenced the size of nesting females as only larger females (greater than 3m (9ft 10in)) nested during the driest years. So yes, those two species are dangerous, but the others aren't as bad.
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