Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus & C. suchus) Fact Sheet: Summary

Kingdom: Animalia

Phylum: Chordata

Class: Reptilia

Order: Crocolydia

Family: Crocodylidae

Genus: Crocodylus

Species: Crocodylus niloticus - Nile Crocodile (eastern Africa, Nile valley, southern Africa)

Species: Crocodylus suchus - Nile Crocodile (west and central Africa)

Body Weight: 70-100 kg

Body Length: 2.0-3.3 m (6.6-11 ft); maximum length snout to tip of tail:
5 m (16.4 ft); largest crocodile in Africa.

Sexual Dimorphism: Males larger than females.

Other features: Salt glands on tongue secrete salt and help animal adapt to salt water environments.

Range: Primarily found in Africa, though native to Madagascar. In Africa, widespread distribution south of the Sahara; absent from the southern tip of Africa.

Habitat: Freshwater lakes, rivers and brackish coastal swamps.

IUCN Status:
Crocodylus niloticus: Least Concern (2017 assessment)
Crocodylus suchus: Newly recognized species; assessment not yet available

CITES: Appendix I or Appendix II, depending on populaion. Ranching allowed in some African countries.

Population in Wild: Estimated 250,000 to 500,000 individuals, but figures not reliable.

Activity Cycle: Primarily nocturnal. In daylight, basks in the sun and cools off in the water when necessary.

Locomotion: Avoid travel on land if possible. propulsion in water by tail and body undulations; bottom walk in shallow water. Can "high walk" with legs erect under body, dragging the tail.

Diet: Varies with age. Hatchlings eat insects; adults can eat large prey such as impala, bushbucks, buffalo, young hippos, and even lions.

Interspecies Interactions: Hippos and Nile Crocodiles occupy the same habitats; hippos tend to be more dominant. Common Sandpipers, and several plover species pick ectoparasites from crocodiles.

Courtship: Elaborate rituals in water with males displaying to females; one to five months' interval between mating and nesting.

Nesting: Colonial nesting; during dry season, female digs hole in sand near the water. Mother buries and guards eggs.

Clutch Size: 55-60 eggs

Inter-clutch Interval: 1-2 clutches per year

Incubation: 80-90 days

Growth: Young grow c. 30 cm/yr (1 ft/yr); growth slows to 2.5 cm/yr (1 in/yr) for old crocodiles

Sexual Maturity: 12-19 yrs. in wild

Typical Life Expectancy: thought to be long-lived, though typical life expectancy not reported

Feature Facts

• Narrow snout to minimize drag and disturbance in the water
• Regulate body temperature by being in/out of the water and by resting with mouth open
• Sensory receptors help crocodiles detect water movement and pressure
• Very social; larger individuals more dominant
• Avoid hippos
• Possess bird- and mammal-like features, such as a similar brain structure (hindbrain) and a 4-chambered heart
• Males perform Splash Display" when courting females
• Mothers build nest and guard hatchlings
• Conflict between crocodiles and humans in Africa for water resources and following human fatalities
• Ancient Egyptians revered Nile Crocodiles; god Sobek, mummies found in tombs
• Nile Crocodiles and many other crocodiles farmed (primarily for skins)