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. 