They are carnivores (meat eaters) that use their strong jaws and legs to catch large prey like antelope and zebras. It lives in freshwater marshes, … And with good reason. Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. "Nile Crocodile Facts." She has taught science courses at the high school, college, and graduate levels. Nile Crocodile Facts. Nile crocodile is one of the three crocodile species we have in Africa. It is responsible for the most deaths from any animal as a predator preying on humans, yet crocodiles serve an important ecological function. The Nile crocodile is quite widespread across sub-Saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the eastern, central, and southern regions of the continent. And with good reason. Nile crocodile is a species of African crocodile; that is the largest freshwater predator in Africa and may be considered the second largest extant reptile and crocodilian in the world after the saltwater crocodile. The female protects the nest from danger at all times. Crocodile Facts for Kids. Their back feet are webbed for swimming. Encyclopedia.com gives you the ability to cite reference entries and articles according to common styles from the Modern Language Association (MLA), The Chicago Manual of Style, and the American Psychological Association (APA). Some species like the freshwater crocodile will mostly eat fish, while larger species like the saltwater crocodile or the Nile crocodile, will consume buffalo, zebra, deer and wild boar. The males are usually bigger than the females. The flanks, which are yellowish-green in colour, have dark patches arranged in oblique stripes. There are estimates that Nile Crocodiles kill up to 200 people a year in Africa. This huge reptile, which can grow to lengths of over 6 meters, is capable of taking down pretty much any animal that ventures too close to its watery domain. The Nile crocodile together with the saltwater crocodile kills hundreds or sometimes thousands of people each year. Dwarf Crocodile Facts . Females of this species are noticeably smaller than males. It is one of the very few animals for which human beings regularly feature on the menu. 30 Enchanting Facts About the River Nile That Will Stir Your Curiosity The river Nile is one of the ancient rivers of the world. Males attract females by making noises, slapping their snouts in water, and blowing water out through their noses. After they have hatched, she may carry them in her mouth to water. It's … Researchers estimate 250,000 to 500,000 individuals live in the wild. Nile Crocodile facts # 1 Crocodylus niloticus means “Crocodile of the Nile River”.The first part of the name, Crocodylus, is derived from the Greek word krokodeilos which literally means "pebble worm".Kroko is Greek for pebble while deilos means worm or man. The Nile crocodile spends most of the day partially exposed in shallow water or basking on land. Nile Crocodile Facts . Helmenstine, Anne Marie, Ph.D. (2020, October 30). Field biologists attribute the high number of attacks to a general lack of caution around crocodile-occupied areas. Average size ranges between 10 and 20 feet in length and anywhere from 300 to 1,650 pounds in weight. Lammergeyer (Pietermaritzberg) 3:43-45. The World's Most Amazing Waterfalls. They also feed on carcasses, other crocodiles (including members of their own species), and sometimes fruit. Nile crocodiles are from Africa. The eyes of these species are green, and they are quadruped animals with four short, sturdy legs. They can grow up to 20 ft (6.1 m) in length and can weigh up to 1,500 lb (680 kg). Their bite can produce up to 5,000 pounds per square inch. However, Nile crocodile numbers are decreasing. Today, the IUCN classifies the species' conservation status as "least concern." In some regions, though, pollution, hunting, and habitat loss have severely depleted their numbers. 17. Size tends to play the biggest role for the Nile Crocodile when it comes to them and mating. In early historic times it ranged north to the Nile delta and the Mediterranean coast. The female digs a nest in the sand or soil several feet from the water and deposits between 25 and 80 eggs. The Nile crocodile is a sexually dimorphic animal, which means that the males and females have physical differences. Since the time human civilization and habitation evolved, the mention of this river can be found. The overall estimated population of the Nile crocodile varies from 250,000 to 500,000 individuals. Does the Nile River have crocodiles? Interesting Facts: One of three existing species of African crocodiles. Up to 745 per year. The second largest of allcrocodilians, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a supremely adapted aquatic predator, with a streamlined body, a long, powerful tail, webbed hind feet, and long, powerful jaws, ideally suited for grabbing and holding onto prey. Nile river facts. Out of water, however, the Nile crocodile can only rely on its limbs, as it gallopson solid ground, to chase prey. While slow in the water, crocodiles are fast on land over short distances. The eyes of these species are green, and they are quadruped animals with four short, sturdy legs. The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is an apex predator that lives in the Nile River. The species faces multiple threats to its survival, including habitat loss and fragmentation, hunting for meat and leather, poaching, pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and persecution. It takes about 80-90 days for the eggs to hatch. The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is the largest of the four crocodile species found in Africa.They have a long tail and powerful jaws. The Nile crocodile is not just found in the Nile … Nile Crocodile Facts The Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus ) is a large freshwater African reptile. The Nile crocodile is native to Africa. There is some variation relative to environment; specimens from swift-flowing waters tend to be lighter in colour than those dwelling in lakes or swamps. They can stay under the water for about 30 minutes without the need for any are. The species possess a … Nile crocodile (Crocodilus niloticus) The Nile crocodile is a massive reptile and probably the most feared predator in Africa. Retrieved from https://www.thoughtco.com/nile-crocodile-4691790. Although Nile crocodiles resemble armored tanks with huge, teeth-filled mouths, these reptiles are unusually attentive parents. 1) Found in northeast Africa, the Nile has long been recognised as the longest river in the world – stretching a massive 6,695km! Although every river is relevant for the individuals and the wildlife habitat living in proximity, The Nile crocodile, also known as the common crocodile, is a crocodilia species native to the freshwater habitats of 26 African countries living in It is the second-largest crocodile in the world and the largest in Africa. Pooley, A. C. 1974b. Interesting Facts: One of three existing species of African crocodiles. Crocodiles are protected in part of their range and are raised in captivity. Africa's largest crocodilian can reach a maximum size of about 20 feet and can weigh up to 1,650 pounds. It is considered the second largest reptile in the world, second only to the saltwater crocodile. ThoughtCo, Oct. 30, 2020, thoughtco.com/nile-crocodile-4691790. Average sizes, though, are more in the range of 16 feet and 500 pounds. The Nile crocodile is one of four species of crocodile found in Africa, the others being the slender-snouted crocodile, West African crocodile, and dwarf crocodile. Nile crocodiles have thick, armored skin that is dark bronze with black stripes and spots on the back, greenish-yellow side stripes, and yellow scales on the belly. In the wild, they have a reputation as man-eaters. Nile crocodile is a quadruped with four short, splayed legs, a long, powerful tail, a scaly hide with rows of hardened scutes (a bony external plate or scale overlaid with the skin of crocodilians) running down its back and tail, and powerful, elongated jaws. They dig a hole about 1 1/2 feet deep to lay their eggs in, a few feet from the water. We’re off on an exciting adventure to northeast Africa to learn about one of the world’s most famous rivers – and you’re coming with us! They can ‘belly run’ up to 17 kilometers per … The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is one of the largest crocodiles living today—second only to saltwater crocodile.It is fairly common in the sub-Saharan Africa including central and eastern Africa. Fun Facts for Kids. Parental care in the Nile crocodile: A preliminary report on behaviour in a cative female. The second largest of allcrocodilians, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a supremely adapted aquatic predator, with a streamlined body, a long, powerful tail, webbed hind feet, and long, powerful jaws, ideally suited for grabbing and holding onto prey. They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps. The KidsAnimalsFacts.com is designed specifically for kids so that they get to know some of the most interesting & amazing facts about animals. The Nile crocodile Facts. Gallo Images-Roger De La Harpe / Getty Images. On an island in Lake Rudolph, Kenya, Nile Crocodile females covered eggs with a mixture of soil and grass (Modha 1967) Female time at nest. They inhabit freshwater marshes, rivers, lakes and mangrove swamps. The female guards the nest until the eggs hatch, which takes about 90 days. The smallest crocodile is the dwarf crocodile. : The most, new, latest, shocking, weird, scary, funny, fascinating, interesting and amazing things | facts in the world. Nile crocodiles are most widespread in Uganda and you find them in and out of the parks. This allows them to dissolve and digest bones, hooves and horns or shells from their prey. And its virtually indiscriminate diet means a villager washing clothes by a riverbank might look just as tasty as a migrating wildebeest. Nile crocodiles can live to be over 40 years old. 2021 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Facts About Nile Crocodile – Freshwater Hunter. Philippine Crocodile Facts . The females are often ready when they are about 6 feet long but for the males it can be when they are about 10 feet long. When a large male croc spots a female that catches his eye, he bellows and splashes, slapping his snout on the water to get her attention. They live throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar in rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps. A Nile crocodile has an egg tooth that it uses to help hatch from an egg. It is as well referred to as crocodiles Niloticus. Mortality is high because the eggs and young are food for many other species. The Nile crocodile has a somewhat deserved reputation as a vicious man-eater. Nile Crocodile Facts Gallery. After seizing its catch, the crocodile drowns it by holding it under water, and then twists off chunks of flesh by spinning its own body in the water while holding on to the prey. The majority of their diet is fish but adults will also eat antelope, ostrich, baboon, zebra and buffalo. The largest crocodile is the saltwater crocodile. Eggs laid between January and December, depending on rains and local climate (Ferguson 1985) Ideally, eggs are in nest during last of dry season, hatching occurs at onset of rains (Cott 1975) Nest Building. The Nile crocodile’s jaws deliver one of the most forceful bites in the animal kingdom, and … Their eyes, ears, and nostrils are on top of the head. A University of Florida herpetologist said he isn’t sure how t he Nile crocodile got into the Everglades. It can be found in Egypt in the North, through Central and East Africa, down to South Africa. Nests are often close enough to almost touch each other More common in the past Nile Crocodile Facts: The eyes, ears, and nostrils of Nile crocodiles are situated at the top of their head so that they can be camouflaged underwater. Nile crocodiles have a dark bronze colouration above, with black spots on the back and a dirty purple on the belly. The diet of the Nile crocodile is mainly fish, but it will attack almost anything unfortunate enough to cross its path, including zebras, small hippos, porcupines, birds, and other crocodiles. Nile Crocodiles usually breed once a year in South Africa. Females lay eggs a month or two after breeding. The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a large freshwater African reptile. Crocodiles have the strongest bite in the animal kingdom. The Nile crocodile is native to Africa. Crocodiles are ambush predators that wait for prey to come within range, lunge at the target, and sink their teeth into it to drag it into water to drown, die from sudden thrashing movements, or be torn apart with help from other crocodiles. Dr. Helmenstine holds a Ph.D. in biomedical sciences and is a science writer, educator, and consultant. Slender Snouted Crocodile Facts . The Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis) is most endangered crocodile species in the wild. St Lucia also happens to have the largest free roaming Hippo Population in South Africa estimated at 800 animals. These two species are encountered on a daily basis both on the banks and in the St Lucia Estuary. Nile crocodiles are … Of these, about 60 percent end in fatalities. Crocodiles may bask with open mouths to prevent overheating or as a threat display for other crocodiles. There are many different types of crocodiles in the Everglades, but there is one species of crocodile that is invasive: The Nile Crocodile. Nile Crocodile Facts for Kids The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is one of the largest crocodiles living today—second only to saltwater crocodile. Females with nests are aggressive, plus large adults hunt humans. Over in Africa, the Nile Crocodile was once widespread in eastern and southern Africa but are now scarcer. Crocodiles have the most acidic stomach of any vertebrate. The proximity of much of its habitat to people means run-ins are frequent. Although it is a freshwater species, the Nile crocodile has salt glands and sometimes enters brackish and marine waters. The Nile crocodile is Africa’s largest, and most widely distributed, crocodile. 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