I received this photo of a big Nile Crocodile in an e-mail.

Apparently it was taken by one of the rangers in the Kruger National Park near the Phalaborwa gate.

Nile Crocodiles are considered one of the dangerous game species in the African bush and it is the only species of terrestrial predator that considers man to be part of its normal diet.

Crocodiles mainly hunt by ambush. They swim as close to the side of a body of water as possible from where they make an explosive rush and grab their victim when any form of prey wanders close enough.

The Nile Crocodile is the only crocodile species found in Africa. Nile Crocodiles are recorded to grow to a maximum length of 5.5 meters in Southern Africa and can weigh in excess of 1 ton. It is reported that Nile Crocodiles in East Africa get even bigger, reaching lengths of up to 7 meters.

Eggs incubated at temperatures between 31°C and 34°C develop into male crocodiles and eggs incubated below this temperature develop into females which means the eggs in the top part of the nest is more likely to be male and the ones in the bottom will more likely be female.  This is just the opposite in tortoises.

Stones of different sizes have been found in the stomachs of Nile crocodiles and the suspected reason is that it increases the crocodile’s specific gravity which allows it to breathe in more air before diving, allowing the crocodile to stay submerged for longer.

Remember these interesting facts next time you are on safari in the African Bush. It will certainly make you enjoy a crocodile sighting a bit more when you can tell your family and friend something about crocodiles. And make sure not to wander too close to the water on your next guided walk.