![]() The female Nile crocodile is an attentive parent, and, after laying up to around 60 eggs, will cover the nest with sand and guard it for the entire incubation period, around 90 days (2) (3) (4). The nest is a hole, up to 50 centimetres deep, dug by the female into a sandy bank, several metres from the water (2) (3) (6). These reptiles have quick reflexes and can be surprisingly fast runners on land (2) (6), though they may tire quickly (7). Breeding usually takes place during the dry season (6) (7), though the exact timing varies with location (3). Nile crocodiles may also dig dens, which they use to retreat from adverse environmental conditions (3). Like other reptiles, Nile crocodiles control body temperature by seeking shade when hot and basking in the sun when cool (6), and basking crocodiles are often a common sight along riverbanks. The largest Nile crocodiles are capable of taking prey up to the size of antelope, buffalo, zebras and wildebeest, dragging the prey into the water and spinning the body around to tear off chunks of flesh (2) (3). Young individuals usually feed on insects, small fish, amphibians and crustaceans, the diet changing to include more vertebrates, including fish, turtles, birds and mammals, as the individual matures (3) (6) (7). The Nile crocodile shows a shift in diet with increasing body size. They are of little danger to humans at these sizes. In the Mlalazi Estuary there are a few juvenile crocs of <50 cm and a single sub-adult of about 1.5 m. The Nile crocodile is quite widespread throughout Sub-Saharan Africa, occurring mostly in the central, eastern, and southern regions of the continent and lives in different types of aquatic environments such as lakes, rivers and marshlands. They mainly hunt by lying in wait at the water's edge or just beneath the surface, using their powerful tails to propel themselves forward and catch prey by surprise.īoth Nile crocodiles and American alligators are top predators in their respective habitats, and their differences in behavior and ecology reflect the varying environments in which they evolved.The Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus) is an African crocodile, the largest freshwater predator in Africa. American alligators are also opportunistic predators, feeding on a variety of prey, including fish, birds, mammals, and other reptiles.The female alligator remains near the nest to protect it until the eggs hatch. American alligators breed during the spring, and the females construct nests of plants and mud near the water's edge.They are typically less aggressive towards humans compared to Nile crocodiles.īreeding and Feeding Habits of American Alligators: American alligators are generally more tolerant of their own species.They are blackish in colour, with a dark greenish tint, providing effective camouflage in their swampy habitats. ![]()
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