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Crocodile, the killler of water
Crocodile, the killler of water
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Crocodile, the killler of water
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Credits to Gawie Roselt.
Huge crocodile having a snack. It was so close to that I could not get the whole crocodile in. - Sunset dam - KNP - Oct 2016.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Corlette Wessels.
Crossing the Mara River is not easy especially in the beginning of the migration. The crocodiles are hungry!! This little Zebra was targeted by a huge croc and he missed 3 times....it surely was the little guys lucky day. Another crocodile also approached and then the 2 croc's had a go at each other.  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Rupak De.
The award winning picture of the male gahrial with scores of recently hatched young ones either on its back or hovering closeby in the river Chambal in Etawah. This type of caregiving by male parent is indeed an exceedingly rare sight.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Photo and information credits: Andy Rouse Photography
"Further to yesterday's poser, as most of you guessed correctly the patterns belonged to a Nile Crocodile. They are found between the legs just above the water line and show a different side to what you see here! Yes I know it's gruesome and amazingly it swallowed the whole Thomson Gazelle, horns and all. One minute they were hanging out the nest the mouth was closed and all was gone. Incredible animals and a vital part of the ecosystem here."  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Julio de Castro.
Nile Crocodile with zebra carcass.Lower Sabie,KNP.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Nile crocodiles in Florida
MOLECULAR ANALYSES CONFIRMING THE INTRODUCTION OF NILE CROCODILES, CROCODYLUS NILOTICUS LAURENTI 1768 (CROCODYLIDAE), IN SOUTHERN FLORIDA, WITH AN ASSESSMENT OF POTENTIAL FOR ESTABLISHMENT, SPREAD, AND IMPACTS Abstract —The state of Florida, USA, has more introduced herpetofauna than any other governmental region on Earth. Four species of nonnative crocodilians have been introduced to Florida (all since 1960), one of which is established. Between 2000–2014 we field-collected three nonnative crocodilians in Miami-Dade County, Florida, and one in Hendry County, Florida. We used DNA barcoding and molecular phylogenetics to determine species identification and native range origin. Also, we described diet, movement, and growth for one crocodile. Our molecular analyses illustrated that two of the crocodiles we collected are most closely related to Nile Crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus) from South Africa, suggesting this region as a source population. We, thus, documented the first known introduction of C. niloticus in Florida. Two, and possibly three of the introduced crocodiles shared the same haplotype, suggesting they are likely from the same introduction pathway or source. One animal was captured, measured, marked, and released, then recaptured 2 y later allowing us to calculate growth rate (40.5 cm/y) and movement. The most likely route of travel by waterway (i.e., canal) illustrates that this animal traveled at least 29 km from its original capture site. One crocodile escaped from a facility in Hendry County, Florida, and survived in 1,012 ha of semi-wild habitat for three to four years, confirming that this species can survive in southern Florida.  *This image is copyright of its original author "The first crocodile (approximately 1.2–1.5 m TL; photographic voucher UF-Herpetology 175632) in this study escaped from its enclosure in 1996 or 1997 at Billie Swamp Safari, Seminole Reservation, Hendry County (26.330348°N, 81.055936°W; datum WGS84; Jonathan Vasquez, pers. comm.). This crocodile was somewhat contained by a perimeter fence within the 1,012 ha property. In 2000, it was finally recaptured by Billie Swamp Safari staff and measured 3 m TL. We were unable to secure a tissue sample from this crocodile. The second crocodile (UF-Herpetology 175743), a hatchling, was captured by Robert Freer on 14 April 2009 on the house porch of a resident at 24800 SW 193 Avenue, Miami, Miami-Dade County (25.534833°N, 80.504653°W), and subsequently transported to Kliebert’s Turtle and Alligator Farm in Hammond, Louisiana. In June 2015 we acquired a tissue sample from this crocodile. The third crocodile (UFHerpetology 165995) was a female captured on 27 October 2011 at the Preston B. Bird/Mary Heinlein Fruit and Spice Park, Homestead, Miami-Dade County (25.53385°N 80.49348°W; datum WGS84; Fig. 1), and subsequently kept in captivity by JAW. It measured 57.7 cm SVL, 115.2 cm TL, 15.3 cm HL, and weighed 4.4 kg. The fourth crocodile (UF-Herpetology 173082) was a female (86.3 cm TL) captured on 13 March 2012 in a canal in Homestead, Miami-Dade County (25.50632°N, 80.47343°W). This crocodile was released and recaptured 9 March 2014 in Everglades National Park (ENP; 25.61707°N, 80.5753°W; U.S. National Park Service, unpubl. report), and measured 23.6 cm HL, 88.0 cm SVL, 167.9 cm TL, 43.6 cm TG, and weighed 17.0 kg. Its stomach contained remains of a Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides). Straight-line distance over land between primary and secondary capture sites was 16 km; however, the most likely route of travel by canal was 29 km."  *This image is copyright of its original author http://redirect.viglink.com/?format=go&jsonp=vglnk_148130480825112&drKey=1082&libId=iwi2l63901000bl0000DA19557j3x&loc=http%3A%2F%2Fcarnivoraforum.com%2Ftopic%2F9333527%2F2%2F&v=1&out=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.researchgate.net%2Fprofile%2FMatthew_Shirley2%2Fpublication%2F301790746_MOLECULAR_ANALYSES_CONFIRMING_THE_INTRODUCTION_OF_NILE_CROCODILES_CROCODYLUS_NILOTICUS_LAURENTI_1768_CROCODYLIDAE_IN_SOUTHERN_FLORIDA_WITH_AN_ASSESSMENT_OF_POTENTIAL_FOR_ESTABLISHMENT_SPREAD_AND_IMPAC%2Flinks%2F5728976608ae0acc4f49a9aa.pdf&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fcarnivoraforum.com%2Ftopic%2F9333527%2F1%2F&title=Nile%20Crocodile%20-%20Crocodylus%20niloticus&txt=%3Cfont%20color%3D%22blue%22%3ELink%20to%20study%3C%2Ffont%3E Post i made on the size of Nile crocodiles "A large male nile crocodile would be in the ball park of 5-5.5m in total length and a mass of 600-700kg; Gerard wood, in his guiness book of animal facts & feats, wrote on an animal measuring 5.8m in total length with an estimated mass of 794-816kg, and a 4.8m animal weighing in at 680kg, all of these are of course a lot bigger than the largest lions. the figure in the OP describing the record length of a nile crocodile is an estimate, presented in Wood(1983), the slightly lower figure presented was 2300lbs. not significant but warranting clarification i guess. The thing with crocodiles is not as tricky as it commonly portrayed to be, like a lot of large predators with wide geographic ranges they vary tremendously. ~3-4.5 is what you can expect a typical adult nile crocodile to measure in total body length. They mature around 2.5m in total body length, with this of course varying from population to population(lake rudolph males matured at either 1.8 or 3.3m in total length at extremes) as well as sex(lake rudolph females matured at 1.7 or 3.0 in total length at extremes), but these animals shouldn't really be regarded in this match up, as a young crocodile against an adult lion is very one sided. Now here is a very large (500+) sample of animals from different localities that should clear up what a typical nile will weigh, of course taking the bit i've written about sexual maturity into consideration."  *This image is copyright of its original author From Graham(1968)(click it) Terrestrial hunting in nile crocodiles, from Vladimir Dinets: "Crocodilians are generally considered to be specialised predators hunting in the water or at the water edge (Neil, 1971). Their terrestrial activities such as nesting, migrating, aestivating/ hibernating and basking are well known and documented in most overviews of crocodilian biology. Despite abundant anecdotal evidence of terrestrial hunting (mostly in the form of scary campfire stories), this aspect of crocodilian behaviour has never been studied nor scientifically described. Observations made during a study of crocodilians in the wild in 2006-2010, mostly on American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), and to a lesser extent on other species, suggest that terrestrial hunting may be more common than previously thought." Nile crocodiles(Crocodylus niloticus) Pooley (1982) mentioned his observation of two Nile crocodiles carrying a recently killed Nyala (Tragelaphus angasii) overland, but it was not clear if the animal had been killed on land. In September 2008 in South Luangwa National Park (Zambia), at 02:15, I observed a 2.5 m Nile crocodile unsuccessfully chase a juvenile Bushbuck (Tragelaphus sylvaticus) for 5-6 m across a dry, elevated river terrace at least 100 m from the water edge. Interviews with local hunters, safari guides and game rangers suggested that Nile crocodiles are occasionally seen on roadsides during night drives in South Luangwa and Lower Zambezi National Parks (Zambia), Mudumu and Mamili National Parks (Namibia), Chobe and Moremi National Parks (Botswana), Lilongwe National Park (Malawi), and Murchison Falls National Park (Uganda). I have observed terrestrial behaviour at the Oromo River Delta, Ethiopia (n=1 in 44 hours of nocturnal searching), Mahango Game Reserve, Namibia (n=2 in 56 hours of nocturnal searching and driving), and at Simangaliso Wetland Park, South Africa (n=1 in 6 hours of nocturnal searching) Terrestrial behaviour on these occasions was always by crocodiles of between 2-3.5 m. In the latter case, a 2.5 m long crocodile was observed catching and swallowing a large toad (Bufonidae) as it was moving along the trail. Once located, each crocodile was observed for 20-30 min to see if it would start moving, but no attempts to change location were ever seen. The fact that predation attempts were seen twice in less than 2 hours of observing Nile crocodiles on land at night suggests that terrestrial hunting is possibly an effective alternative hunting strategy." http://dinets.info/Pages%20from%20Bulletin%20114%20Dinets.pdf
Mugger crocodile predation on young axis deer
[Notes on Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris (Lesson, 1831) hunting on Axis axis in Bardia National Park, Nepal Abstract Mugger Crocodile Crocodylus palustris is a specialized voracious predator. Hunting strategy of the Mugger on the Axis axis deer and food storing for later use behavior of Crocodylus palustris is documented in Bardia National Park, Nepal. Understanding the diet of the Mugger is of great significance in Bardia National Park for its conservation and management. "Nepal is the home for two crocodilian species i.e. the Gharial Gavialis gangeticus and the Mugger Crocodylus palustris. Both the species are reported from Bardia National Park, Nepal. The studies on feeding ecology of the crocodilians in Nepal are rare. However, information on general status, population, distribution and habits of the crocodilians is available (Maskey; 1998, Khadka et.al; 2008, Khadka et.al. 2014). The Mugger is a semi-aquatic, keystone and top carnivore of slow flowing freshwater ecosystems, and is considered to perform a vital service in the aquatic ecosystem by distributing the nutrients throughout the water body resulting an increase in primary production and fish populations (Mulozoki 2000, Khadka et.al. 2014). Currently, the Mugger has been categorized as a Vulnerable species (IUCN, 2015) and has been distributed in Nepal, India, Bangladesh, Pakistan and Iran (Da Silva & Lenin, 2010). Here, I report the hunting strategy of the Mugger crocodile on a spotted deer (Axis axis) in Bardia National Park, Nepal. While conducting Burmese python Python bivittatus survey, on 24th March, 2014 at 15:05 hr at Gulgulwa Ghat (N 28˚ 27ʹ 58.3", E 81˚ 14ʹ 37.8"), Bardia National Park, I noticed a herd of Spotted deer (Axis axis) drinking water in Khauraha stream (Figure1). Suddenly, an adult mugger crocodile (approx. 2.5 m length) grabbed left hind limb of a female sub-adult deer and dragged it into the water (Figure 2).  *This image is copyright of its original author The deer tried to escape striking the Mugger with right hind limb but could not succeed. After a while, the Mugger took it into the deep pool and started encircling with the deer for five minutes. After that, the Mugger started surface leaping catching the leg of the deer (Figure 3 & 4). Then, the deer appeared weak and all of sudden the Mugger took it underneath the water and disappeared. Surprisingly, after 15 minutes the Mugger re-appeared with the kill on the opposite side of the stream. Then, the Mugger stored the kill under the roots of an uprooted tree Ficus glomerata (Figure 5). At 16:12 hr the mugger came outside the water for basking (Figure 6). I observed the parts of the kill (head and fore limbs) next day at 12:25 hrs entangled on the same root and Mugger basking on the bank of the stream."  *This image is copyright of its original author http://hrcak.srce.hr/index.php?show=clanak&id_clanak_jezik=232562 Very interesting to note that the mugger caches prey in a similar manner to C.porosus.
Credits to Governors Camp Collection.
Date: June 5 2015 There was an exciting sighting recently when two crocodile were seen with the carcass of a zebra on the bank of the Mara River. The smaller of the two crocodile quickly receded back into the river and as soon as it had gone a male leopard then materialised from the long grass on the bank above and started to compete with the one large crocodile for the meal. The leopard tugged away and snarled, all the time the crocodile did not give in, after a few minutes, only when the Leopard released his grip the crocodile swung around and took the complete remains of the Zebra back into the river. The leopard appeared shocked that the crocodile moved very quickly complete with meal. Photo courtesy of Governors Il Moran Camp Guest John Lyall.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Credits to Kevin Power - Londolozi.
A crocodile basks in the early morning light. It’s not often that you manage to get this close to a crocodile without it heading for the safety of the water. To get this rather different eye-level angle, we utilised a small depression below the bank it was basking on.  *This image is copyright of its original author
The orinoco crocodile, such a marvelous yet largely unrecognized species
 *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author
Photo and information credits: Stephen Kangisser Wildlife Photography
"Crocodile playing with it's food" from Kasane Forest Reserve, Chobe, Botswana.  *This image is copyright of its original author
Photo and information credits: Digitalwild Nature & Wildlife Photography by Hendri Venter
"Two Crocodiles feeding on a warthog carcass. Another image from the action at the Lagoon hide on Saturday night."  *This image is copyright of its original author
Some interesting photos of Crocodylus moreletii
Here we see a Morelet's crocodile skull in comparison with that of the American crocodile(C.moreletii on the right, C.acutus on the left) as well as a lateral view of the formers' skull from Schmidt(1924)*, note the robusticity of the snout for C.moreletii in comparison with another longistrine snouted species..pretty cool stuff i gotta say:  *This image is copyright of its original author *Citation Schmidt, Karl Patterson. Notes on Central American crocodiles. Field Mus., 1924. Photos of Morelet's crocodile from Adam Britton's website  *This image is copyright of its original author  *This image is copyright of its original author "This captive Morelet's crocodile has lost most of the upper and lower teeth near the front of its jaw. This is quite often seen in captive animals which have knocked their heads against solid objects in the enclosure. Teeth lost in this manner usually regrow relatively quickly, because crocodiles replace their teeth throughout their life, usually with a new tooth every 1 to 2 months. If the actual tooth alveolus is damaged, however, then the tooth regeneration can stop altogether. This is often the result of fights between adult crocodiles, and some very old crocodiles are so battle-weary that they have lost most of their teeth permanently. There are other reasons for tooth loss also, such as a lack of calcium in the diet." http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/!cmor3.htm  *This image is copyright of its original author "A prey's eye view of a basking Morelet's crocodile. As in the previous picture, the lack of teeth at the front of this animal's mouth can be seen (the result of an injury, most likely). Morelet's are still relatively poorly understood animals, in terms of their biology and ecology. They are unique in being the only crocodile species in the New World (the Americas) which build a mound nest, and not a hole nest. This may be due to differences in habitat and season (i.e. availability of materials)." http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/!cmor4.htm |
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