CrocBITE

The Nile crocodile is one of the largest crocodilian species reaching 5.5 m (18 ft) in length in rare circumstances and possibly even larger. Like the saltwater crocodile, the Nile crocodile is known to be a man-eater and is likely responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year. The current range of the Nile crocodile is present primarily within sub-Saharan Africa from Lake Nasser in Egypt south to around Durban in South Africa along the eastern coast and from Senegal and southern Mauritania south to northern Namibia along the western coast. The species was much more widespread in historical times, with populations existing within the Nile River Delta and as far north as Israel, as well as far south as East London in South Africa. The Nile crocodile can be found in a wide variety of habitats, ranging from freshwater rivers and lakes to brackish areas and coastal estuaries. Juvenile Nile crocodiles primarily feed upon invertebrates and small vertebrates, but adults are capable of taking a wide variety of prey items including larger fish, reptiles, birds and many different mammals (e.g. antelope, wildebeest, young hippos, big cats, and humans). While the Nile crocodile is considered secure throughout certain portions of its range (e.g. East Africa) the species is threatened with other areas (e.g. West Africa). Recent scientific findings suggest that the West African populations of the Nile crocodile are in fact a separate species entirely (C. suchus).