Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
Never buy one as a pet… it will bite you, guaranteed… it’s the second largest living reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile (don’t buy one of these also, you can’t take it out for a walk on the beach, it’ll take to the sea and you’ll lose it)
The male crocodile measure from 3.5 to 5 m (11 ft. 6 in to 16 ft. 5 in) long, but the old, mature ones can grow to 5.5 m (18 ft. 1 in) or more. Mature females measure 2.4 to 3.8 m (7 ft. 10 in to 12 ft. 6 in). Now that could be a bit big to carry around on your shoulder…
The nostrils, eyes, and ears are situated on the top of the head, so the rest of the body can remain concealed underwater. This is not good news for those that swim in rivers like I did years ago, or for that matter for their prey. They can lie still in an ambush position for hours, days, weeks and, I wanted to say months, but that might be stretching it a little far, till their prey has entered the kill zone.
A short sharp swish of the tail and it will lock its jaws on its prey with an extremely powerful bite, unique amongst animals with sharp conical teeth that pierce into flesh allowing for a grip that is impossible to loosen. Applying high levels of force for extended periods of time, a great way to aid it drown you or its prey.
Don’t be fooled by that grin and smiley face, he wants you to have a false sense of security… then he can eat you… the lazy so and so…
This must be considered the laziest predator alive, what with swimming all day or sunning yourself on the banks and then lying around in the water waiting for your prey to get near enough to you to catch it….
Nile crocodiles are sociability orientated creatures. They’ll share tanning spots and large food, such as schools of fish and big carcasses. There is however a strict hierarchy, that is determined by size. Large, old males are at the top and have first claim to food and best basking spots. Crocodiles know their place in the hierarchical order and rarely step out of line, as this could results in a very bloody and sometimes even fatal battle.
As an eye opens to see if I’m close enough to eat… no my friend I’m on full zoom…
Nile crocodiles lay eggs to reproduce, (wonder if one could pickle them) which are guarded by the female. The hatchlings are protected for a period of time, but hunt by themselves. The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds of deaths of humans every year.
So damn ugly that in a way he’s beautiful…
The Photographic Journey of bulldog. 
This beast is huge. It indeed looks like it’s just waiting to eat you alive in one bite! You captured these photos with excellency!
Thank you… one of those I tend to give a wide berth to…
What a beast????? I would argue with him … I don’t know if I would call him beautiful, but I suppose we are all beautiful in some way. Great captured, Bob.
Thanks Viveka…
That spinning move they do when they’re busy drowning their victim is the true stuff of nightmares!
I can’t remember if it was specifically about this croc or just crocs in general, but I saw a documentary about them some time ago where they said they actually don’t eat their food straight away, they don’t have those kinds of teeth to chew with. They drown the prey and wedge it somewhere underwater to rot and when it’s nice and soft from decomp they swallow chunks of it later. Also, I believe their eggs turn out either male of female, depending on the temperature they’re kept at…fascinating creatures.
I don’t know who the hell would want one as a pet?!
You are right on all counts.. if the prey is small one or two will grab a piece spin and break off a piece, but if it’s big it goes to the pantry to rot…
I would not want to share the water with these animals. There was a recent video by National Geographic making the circuit of a jaguar stalking a cayman. it was pretty interesting. You can find it here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBNYwxDZ_pA
Funny you should mention that vid, I have seen it when looking for the vid of the Leopard and the croc… somehow this particular branch of the cat families likes to kill reptiles…
Any stretch of water with a triangle of bumps sticking out of it is not to be trusted! A 5,5 m specimen is very scary to contmeplate.
Lovely clear photos.
I always think of ‘Jim’s Circus Crocodile’ in Jock of the Bushveld when reading about how they can lurk beneath the water and look like submerged logs.
How right you are Col.. I heard the other day that our rivers that run west have no crocs in them, have you heard that??? Find it hard to believe, but then when you go down to the Orange, specially near Upinton area all the locals will tell you that…
It would appear that is correct. I know the Orange once had hippo, but I think it has always been regarded as outside of crocodile range. We certainly didn’t even think of the possibility when swimming there!
Being one that swims there everytime we go.. I have still felt a little apprehensive when swimming from one side to the other… mind you gave me a bit more speed…
I saw a mummified crocodile in the ancient Egyptian ruins a few years back. It was much smaller and definitely less threatening.
I’m sure it was less threatening… but I believe they have some real biggies in the Nile maybe closer to the source now but I’m sure they’re there…
I saw a documentary recently where a news reporter and crew went scuba diving on the hunt for these creatures! I would need an awfully powerful zoom to get a photo like you have Bulldog. We are planning a trip to Florida this winter and I am already fretting about alligators and crocodiles.
Just keeping your eyes peeled, could get you a good photo… just don’t step on them…. Lololol
I will be getting a camera with a much greater zoom before we get to Florida. 😉
Awww, he’s kind of cute…but only from a distance 🙂
Just remember that distance…
I would never be fooled by a crocodile., I’m sure. They are some mean looking creatures.
Ugly and dangerous… a bad combination, knew a woman like that many years ago…
haha, you always make me laugh. I’m imagining this woman right now 😀
Thanks for the warning. I am fascinated by this primitive creature. How it lived for thousand of years, even during the Dinosaur era. Remarkable!
That is so right… a real survivor…
I do agree with you bulldog. They are beautiful in their ugly way…hehehe and you’ve captured them so well too! Thanks for the warnings. LOL!
Have a great weekend and thanks for sharing. 😀 *hugs*
Thanks Sonel… I’ve often wondered if your “small” dam outside your door, if there are crocs in harties… ??
Wonderful photo’s Bulldog. It really looks as if you are right there next to him – the old log lying innocently on the river bank.
Thats for sure.. but lucky I have a long lens…
That is some zoom lens. Fab shots as always. I think I would have found one that had just eaten despite the distance away & the ability to run. Just in case…
Thanks Milton… not the best of runners (them, not me)
But it’s all smiley. Can’t I have one? Please?
you go for it Al… the food bill though is enormous…
Nah I’ll just feed the kids to it. I mean .. I’ll let the kids feed it
Another interesting and informative post! Thank you, bulldog.
Russ
Pleasure Russ
Think of their ancestors that were up to 40 feet long.
Glad I didn’t live in those days…
I know someone who is terrified of crocodiles, I wonder if there’s a word for that phobia.
Herpetophobia…. the fear of reptiles… covers crocs.. but I would have thought .. Crocodiphilliaphobia would have been better…
I have a healthy respect for those jaws.
That makes a couple of us… but they are still fascinating creatures…
I’m surprised that so many people are killed by them every year. Are the people surprised by them while in a boat? How do most of these killings happen?
Anneli, Africa is a poor continent and many of the poor go down to the rivers to wash clothes, bath and even fish for food… I’m afraid that is when the crocs strike… I’ve seen these things (big ones) lying just off the bank and all you see are their nostrils, you can’t see him under the water as he is so well camouflaged… and with a tail flick they are lightening fast to grab you, and I’m afraid you have little to no chance against even a smallish one… as a youngster my Dad was asked to go and shoot one in the then Rhodesia as it was causing havoc with the cattle on a farm.. he shot it in the water and when we went out in the boat one could not believe such a smallish croc could pull a full grown cow into the water and drown it…
That’s terrible. We think nothing of going close to the riverbank to have a picnic or splash in the water just for fun. Those guys look mean.
Fantasticheeeee!!!!
Thank you…
Hmmm Beautiful, I guess this is where the phrase comes from, right? beauty is in the eye of the beholder. LOL
I think that is right… nice from far…
Glad you were on full zoom!
I’m a little older and wiser than what I used to be when younger…
That thing is HUGE!!! Scary
Seen bigger, but he was a fair size…
BIGGER???? gasp
Way too close for comfort despite zoom!
No Julie I reckon I can outrun this guy with the head start I had…
Ha – careful!
Got a big zoom…
Awesome shots. I agree, so ugly, it’s beautiful. I like yourself, loved swimming in rivers when I was growing up. Since moving to Florida, we have rivers filled with alligators, takes the fun out of it. But…at least I get to swim in the ocean, not too many sharks around. 😉
I swim in the ocean as well … reckon I’ve got a good chance of surviving that…
Fascinating shots bulldog. You definitely want a zoom lense for close ups of these guys! Presumably one of the nearest animals to prehistoric life around today.
That’s exactly what they say, they talk in millions of years…
Darn, and I had arranged to pick one up from the pet store today!! I mean look at the friendly smile on that one in the last picture :). Ok, maybe I should reconsider.
Just keep it beyond arms length…
Bulldog!!! Don’ you dare come home with a pet like this….
and I’ve already ordered one… and you know my policy… I want what I want when I want it…
yes, he is great! but scarey too….I prefer Nile musicians 🙂 Wonderful photographs. Thank you dear Rob, have a nice weekend, love, nia
I think I would prefer Nile Musicians as well… thanks Nia..
superb shots.By looking at these sharp tooth,it makes goosebumps!!
Thank you Praveena… not something you get too close to, or ask when he last saw the dentist…
lol 🙂
I was thinking that, too. He is so ugly that he is actually cute. lol Incredible shots. Cannot wait to use these today when the kids wake for our “Bulldog Classes.” Thanks, Dear Friend!!
Only a pleasure… hope they learn something and don’t ever get too close to these reptiles… not like the Bulldog liked to do when he was young and stupid… always wanted to try and pull it’s tail…
Was that one of the creatures you meant when you talked about checking for critters before going to the loo? lol Hope not!! 😀
Luckily our Loo was far enough away from water…
lol…..good!!! Have a great rest of your day!! 😀
darn beautiful, ugly, no beautiful, I mean ugly – oh I mean……… scarey can definitely agree on the scarey!
Got you all in a tizz have I… ?? one of those that you can say “nice from far, but actually far from nice”