Nile crocodile Crogall Níleach
IUCN status Listed
Habitat Throughout sub-Saharan Africa,
the Nile Basin and west Madagascar – rivers, freshwater
marshes, mangrove swamps
Diet Carnivore – mainly fish, also
zebra, wildebeest, gazelle, small hippos, porcupine, birds,
other crocodiles, carrion
At nearly six metres (20ft.) in length and weighing up
to 730kg (1650lb), Nile crocs are among the largest of
all crocodiles. Although fearsome predators, they are
caring parents and guard their nest of eggs for months,
digging them up when the babies ‘chirp’ and
helping them hatch. Females carry the babies by mouth
to water and stay with them for two months.
Did you know?
Unable to control body temperatures internally, crocodiles
bask in the sun to warm up and slide into water to cool
off, opening their mouths to release heat.
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