Range: Wide ranging in much of Africa south of the Sahara, populations exist on the western side of Madagascar

Habitat: Due to the Nile Crocodiles extensive natural range the habitat varies widely.  Fresh water is a must for the crocodile but the source varies widely from rivers to lakes and estuaries

Size: Averages 13', accounts of animals over 20' have been reported but not verified, undoubtedly one of the largest of living crocodilians.  Male Nile crocs in excess of 1,500 pounds have been verified.

Status: In certain countries the Nile Crocodile faces expatriation, in others farming and conservation have produced very healthy populations.

Rain Forest Facts: Much has been written about this amazing predator of Africa, this Crocodilian is arguably the most studied of all Crocodilian species, with the possible exception of the American Alligator.  Widely believed to be a man-eater the facts are very difficult to establish, this crocodile shares it's natural habitat with hippopotamus as well as lions and other large predators that compete with humans for both food and water.  Encounters with these animals are inevitable over time for the local populations. 

Female Nile Crocodiles produce large clutches of eggs, up to 60 have been reported.  The female builds a nest of vegetation, or excavates a sand nest, depending on location.   Incubation is reported to average 80 days, with variations of 10 days reported on either side of the average.  Nest temperature has an impact on the sex determination of the babies. 

Female Nile Crocodiles guard their nest as vigorously as any species of crocodilian.   Predators still manage to account for high mortality among both eggs and hatchlings.   Humans will often trick the female away from the nest to gather the much coveted eggs.  Monitor lizards as well as predatory birds will dig nests, large carnivores such as hyenas often are able to grab young crocodiles as they exit the nest.  

Male Nile crocs have been seen assisting in both the guarding of the nest and assisting the babies to the water.

Young Nile crocodiles will remain with the female for an extended period of time, as with most species of crocodilians the young will avoid adult male crocodiles, cannibalism is not unheard of with all species of crocodiles.

Growing fairly rapidly, the young Crocodiles will begin to consume larger and larger food items. Fish and aquatic creatures such as turtles comprise a large portion of their diets until they reach very large sizes.  Much has been documented of certain Nile crocodiles awaiting the annual migration of the zebra and wildebeest, an adult Nile Crocodile is capable of consuming very large percentages of it's own body weight.  An adult zebra may weigh in excess of 600 pounds, several adult Nile Crocodiles have been observed feeding on the carcasses of both adult zebras and water buffalo.  Occasionally Nile Crocodiles will submerge with prey and secure the food item under water with the aid of rocks or tree branches.  Much debate exists about the reasons for such behavior, one school of thought is that the crocodile is hiding its food item from other carnivores.  Another school of thought is that the crocodiles use the water to soften the food item for ease of consumption. 

The future for the Nile Crocodile looks good, as more and more nations embrace ecotourism and understand the economical reasons to protect wildlife keystone species such as the Nile Crocodile will benefit from this positive trend.  Not all nations protect their natural resources in the same fashion and the Nile Crocodile will undoubtedly fair better in certain geographical regions then others, the animals wide natural range will have far reaching positive implications for it over time.

The recorded bite strength for this species of crocodilian is 3,000 pounds per square inch, over 10 times stronger than a human.