Watching Crocodiles

The Nile crocodile is one of the 3 species of crocodiles found in Africa, and the second largest species of crocodile. Its range covers most of Africa south of the Sahara, and the island of Madagascar. Known as a man-eater, it has been hated, revered (especially in Ancient Egypt where crocodiles were mummified), and worshipped. The Nile crocodile can, and sometimes will, easily snatch and devour a human. While it is no longer threatened with extinction as a species, the population in many countries is in danger of vanishing.

It is up to five meters long and it is brownish green in color, with the back darker than the front. It can swim well, thanks to the strong tail. It spends most of the day laying still on the shore, with its jaws open, so that the plover birds can pick up foot remnants from its mouth and alert it of any impending danger.

Nile Crocodiles range all over Africa, eating almost anything (including each other!), but rarely moving away from their chosen body of water. Hatchlings eat small fish and insects; adults will go after turtles, baboons, and even the gigantic wildebeest. They live in large "communities" of several dozen crocodiles, but even there they tend to leave each other alone except during a "feeding frenzy" when they will all unite to take down a much larger animal.

We offer you the chance to get closer and watch the Nile Crocodile.