Page 63 - Reptiles & Dinosaurs (Britannica Illustrated Science Library)

58 LIZARDS AND CROCODILES REPTILES AND DINOSAURS 59

The Largest on the Nile Implacable Hunter

The Nile crocodile is a phenomenal predator. It can eat fish,
antelope, zebras, and even buffalo. It can also jump out of the
he impressive Nile crocodile is considered one of the most dangerous animals in water to capture birds from their nests. In spite of their solitary
Africa. It is one of three crocodile species that live in Africa and one of the largest habits, several crocodiles may join together to eat and work as a
T species in the world. It can reach nearly 20 feet (6 m) in length and weigh over team to corral fish in shallow waters. They eat animals that
approach the water's edge to drink by dragging them into the water
2,200 pounds (1,000 kg). It lives in freshwater lakes and rivers. This dark olive- to drown them and then tearing them to pieces.
colored giant has a terrible reputation for devouring humans. For this reason,
it has been both hated and revered, especially in ancient Egypt, where
crocodiles were mummified and worshipped.
1 Stalk
Using a stealth surprising
because of its large size, the WARTHOG
Nile crocodile stalks its prey Phacochoerus africanus
Range until trapping it.
NILE Eyes out of
Nile crocodiles live all along the Nile CROCODILE the water
River and throughout sub-Saharan
Africa. They are also found in ocean waters Cocodrylus
near the African continent and the island of niloticus
Madagascar. They inhabit river deltas, lakes,
large swamps, and estuaries and are Class Reptilia
currently raised in many countries, such as Length 20 feet (6 m)
Kenya, Tanzania, Israel, Indonesia, France,
Japan, and Spain. Range Africa
Weight 2,200 pounds (1,000 kg) Attack
2 When hunting large prey, it
attacks when they approach
the water to drink.
6 feet
(1.8 m)

Weight 2,200 pounds Weight
(1,000 kg) 175 pounds
20 feet (6 m) (80 kg)

3 Drown
Once it has the prey clenched in its
Habits jaws, it pulls it into the water and
On land, crocodiles usually crawl on their bellies, keeps it submerged until it drowns.
although they can also raise their bodies and walk 1 hour
or run with their legs extended. Since they
constantly need an external heat source, it is
common to see them sunning themselves with THE AMOUNT OF TIME THEY
their jaws open. This allows the breeze to cool the CAN REMAIN UNDERWATER
membranes of their mouths, regulating their body
temperature. They are perfectly adapted for life in
the water and use their tails for swimming.

SCALES ALONG WELL PROTECTED
THE BACK Body scales serve as
armor. Webbed feet help
them to swim.
EYES ON TOP
OF HEAD
Busy Females
V-SHAPED
SNOUT The female lays from 16 to 80 eggs in a hole well
above the water level. She will use this same nest
throughout her life. She carefully protects the eggs while
they incubate. When the young hatch, she carefully picks up
the hatchlings and carries them to the water in groups. HATCHLING
Mother and offspring stay together for six to eight weeks The young crocodiles will live
in burrows up to 10 feet (3 m)
and then gradually separate. long for the first four years of
their lives.