Africa is one of the largest continents in area, rich in various flora and fauna. It's no secret that this is where dangerous reptiles - crocodiles - live. There are several species on the mainland, which will be discussed later.
West African Crocodile
It is also called desert. It is one of 4 species of African crocodiles. Due to the external similarity, it is often confused with the Nile. The difference between them was discovered in 1807 by the French zoologist Etienne Geoffrey Saint-Hilaire.
The habitat of the African crocodile is Nigeria, Equatorial Guinea, The Gambia, Niger, Democratic Republic of the Congo and many other places of their distribution, where they can meet with their Nile counterparts.
As for their lifestyle, these reptiles feed in particular on fish and invertebrates, but they can also afford larger animals. African crocodiles with a length of 5 meters can easily attack large cats and manatees, which are also found in their diet. There have been instances of their attacks on people and pets.
They live in caves, and during bad weather, such as a rainy day, they gather in a pond or ponds.
Bit of history
The god Sebek, worshiped by the inhabitants of Ancient Egypt, had the head of a crocodile and was a symbol of the power of the pharaoh. The Egyptians did not always get along with their patron and sometimes allowed themselves to hunt for local crocodiles. They also used spells to not cause the wrath of these reptiles. According to the Egyptians, West African crocodiles were smarter and calmer than the Nile, so they were used in various rituals.
Currently, the Moorians protect the African crocodiles living here, because it is believed that without them the water will disappear. After all, it is in her that they spend most of their lives.
African narrow-crocodile
He got this name thanks to the narrow muzzle, which makes it look like an Orokin crocodile, which lives in the north of South America. The average body length of a reptile is 2.5 meters, but individuals 4 meters long are found. They are sometimes called armored crocodiles due to the fusion of bone plates with scales on the back.
The diet of these reptiles includes aquatic invertebrates and fish, as well as some large prey.
By themselves, they are single, but during the mating period they gather in groups. Females of the African crocodile build nests directly near the water, which allows the hatched cubs to reach it as soon as possible. Reptiles do not show concern for the offspring, but the percentage of survival of the cubs is quite high due to the large size of the eggs and the long incubation period.
African narrow-crocodile lives exclusively in water areas. Distributed mainly in the waters of West Africa, on the coast of Cameroon and on the island of Bioko. Approximately there are about 50 thousand individuals of this species, but this figure is reduced every year due to hunting and a decrease in habitat. Crocodile conservation measures are currently underway, but volatile policies in some parts of Africa make work difficult.
Dumb crocodile
The smallest representative of the crocodile squad. The maximum body length is 1.9 meters. The description of the African crocodile can be attributed to a black color, which on the stomach turns into yellow. The small size of the reptile exposes it to danger: a crocodile can become prey for larger predators. However, it is adapted to survive thanks to its well-armored body and tail.
The dull face of the crocodile became the basis for its name.
It lives mainly in water bodies of West Africa.
Reptile is active at night. The diet includes vertebrates, snails and small carrion. He likes to hide in holes that he digs near the shore.
Crocodile females lay their eggs in the rainy season, in mid-June. The incubation period lasts up to 105 days. Cubs are born in nests made in advance by a female from rotting materials. Before hatching the offspring, the mother protects the eggs from predators.
People prey on such crocodiles for the sake of meat and skin, which is very little appreciated due to poor quality, which significantly reduces the number of animals every year.
Nile crocodile
The largest of all species living in Africa. He has a large physique, which allows the African crocodile to hunt animals such as rhinos, giraffes and buffalos. It is also called the cannibal.
He has short legs, a long heavy tail, and his skin is covered with inherent scales. Near the eyes there are special glands that secrete fluid. The special arrangement of the nostrils, ears and eyes allows the crocodile to completely go under water, leaving them on the surface. Coloring allows masking.
The sizes of reptiles often exceed 5 meters.
During the mating period, the crocodile attracts the female with water strikes or sounds peculiar only to him. Both parents guard the offspring at all costs.
Nile crocodile is a huge danger to people, killing hundreds of them almost every year. Although it is believed that they attack not without reason, but only when they sense a threat in relation to themselves or their offspring.
Where do crocodiles of this species live?
Nile crocodiles love to be located on the banks of rivers and lakes, and are found in salt ponds. They can be found in Morocco, Zanzibar, Madagascar and many other places. Animals are also common in many countries of South and East Africa (Kenya, Ethiopia).