Crocodylus niloticus
The Nile crocodile is the second largest reptile in the world after the saltwater crocodile with large croc's reaching 6m (20 feet) in length and weighing up to 1000kg (2200 pounds)!
The Nile crocodiles main diet is fish but they will also feed on birds, baboons, monkeys and antelope. A crocodile will eat just about any creature it feels it can catch which is why they won't hesitate to kill other predators such as lion, leopard, hyena and even humans.
Crocodiles don't have chewing teeth so small is prey swallowed whole and larger prey is torn apart into smaller pieces.
Feeding croc's help each other by griping large prey on different sides and then spinning in opposite directions to tear the prey apart for easier consumption. Lone crocodiles will sometimes wedge the prey between branches under water and then spin to tear pieces of meat off.
Although Nile crocodiles are more comfortable hunting in water they will also hunt on land.
Land animals are normally snatched by the croc while sleeping and then dragged to the water where they are killed.
These powerful reptiles are considered an 'apex predator' meaning they have no predators where they exist. Young crocodiles can fall prey to other predators such as lions, leopards and large birds of prey.
Crocodiles spend much of their time under water and are capable of holding their breath for up to 2 hours if inactive.
Nile crocodiles are capable of lowering their heart rates too as low as 1 beat per minute which then decreases the need for oxygen thus allowing them to stay longer periods under water.
The Nile crocodile is ranked 2nd in terms of the most powerful biting jaws after the Saltwater crocodile. An adult has a biting force of about 5000 pounds!
The muscles used to open the jaws are much weaker than the shutting muscles which makes it possible for the average man to hold a crocs jaws closed.
Large crocodiles sometimes swallow stones. The stones may help them with balance under water and aid in breaking down food in their bodies.
The collective noun for a group of crocodiles is a 'BASK' or 'FLOAT'.
The crocodile is one of only three types of reptiles that have true vocal cords. The other two are geckos and chameleons.
Photos of Crocadilians
