madagascariensis (the Malagasy or Madagascar Nile crocodile, regionally also known as the croco Mada, which translates to Malagasy crocodile), C. cowiei (the South African Nile crocodile), C. chamses (the West African Nile crocodile), C. africanus (informally named the East African Nile crocodile), C. Taxonomy Īlthough no subspecies are currently formally recognized, as many as seven have been proposed, mostly due to variations in appearance and size noted in various populations throughout Africa. It also sometimes referred to as the African crocodile, Ethiopian crocodile, and common crocodile. The Nile crocodile is called timsah al-nil in Arabic, mamba in Swahili, garwe in Shona, ngwenya in Ndebele, ngwena in Venda, kwena in Sotho and Tswana, and tanin ha-yeor in Hebrew. The binomial name Crocodylus niloticus is derived from the Greek κρόκη, kroke ("pebble"), δρῖλος, drilos ("worm"), referring to its rough skin and niloticus, meaning "from the Nile River". It is common and is not endangered, despite some regional declines or extirpations. The Nile crocodile is one of the most dangerous species of crocodile and is responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year. The hatchlings are also protected for a period of time, but hunt by themselves and are not fed by the parents. Like most other reptiles, Nile crocodiles lay eggs these are guarded by the females and males, making the Nile crocodiles one of few reptile species whose males contribute to parental care. Crocodiles tend to respect this order when it is infringed, the results are often violent and sometimes fatal. Large, old males are at the top of this hierarchy and have first access to food and the best basking spots. Their strict hierarchy is determined by size. They share basking spots and large food sources, such as schools of fish and big carcasses. They can apply high force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown. Like other crocodiles, Nile crocodiles have a powerful bite that is unique among all animals, and sharp, conical teeth that sink into flesh, allowing a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. They are agile predators and wait for the opportunity for a prey item to come well within attack range. They are ambush predators that can wait for hours, days, and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. Their diet consists mostly of different species of fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals. They are generalists, taking a variety of prey. Nile crocodiles are opportunistic apex predators a very aggressive crocodile, they are capable of taking almost any animal within their range. The crocodile has thick, scaly, heavily armoured skin. Size is sexually dimorphic, with females usually about 30% smaller than males. It is the largest freshwater predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest extant reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile ( Crocodylus porosus). However, specimens exceeding 6.1 m (20 ft) in length and 1,000 kg (2,200 lb) in weight have been recorded. Generally, the adult male Nile crocodile is between 3.5 and 5 m (11 ft 6 in and 16 ft 5 in) in length and weighs 225 to 750 kg (500 to 1,650 lb). The range of this species once stretched northward throughout the Nile, as far north as the Nile Delta. Although capable of living in saline environments, this species is rarely found in saltwater, but occasionally inhabits deltas and brackish lakes. In West Africa, it occurs along with two other crocodilians. It is widely distributed 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, swamps, and marshlands. The Nile crocodile ( Crocodylus niloticus) is a large crocodilian native to freshwater habitats in Africa, where it is present in 26 countries. Nile Crocodile Range in Green, Sub-saharan Africa & Western Madagascar
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