Nile crocodile

E31840

The Nile crocodile is a large and aggressive African crocodilian known for inhabiting rivers, lakes, and wetlands and being one of the continent’s most formidable predators.

Jump to: Surface forms Statements Referenced by

Observed surface forms (2)

Surface form Occurrences
Crocodylus niloticus 1
Sweetheart (crocodile) 1

Statements (71)

Predicate Object
instanceOf apex predator
crocodile species
reptile
vertebrate
activityPattern mostly nocturnal hunter
adaptation eyes and nostrils positioned on top of head
heavily armored skin
powerful tail for swimming
valvular nostrils for underwater breathing control
baskingBehavior sun-basking for thermoregulation
binomialName Nile crocodile self-linksurface differs
surface form: Crocodylus niloticus
bodyColor dark bronze with darker cross-bands
class Reptilia
commonName Nile crocodile self-link
conservationStatus Least Concern
conservationStatusSystem IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
surface form: IUCN Red List
describedBy Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti
diet carnivorous
distributionNote widely distributed across much of Africa south of the Sahara
ecologicalRole scavenger
top predator in freshwater ecosystems
family Crocodylidae
feedingBehavior ambush predator
foundIn Madagascar
Nile
surface form: Nile River basin

Sub-Saharan Africa
genus Crocodylus
habitat estuaries
lakes
marshes
rivers
wetlands
huntingTechnique death roll
jawStrength very strong bite force
juvenileColor olive with dark spots
kingdom Animalia
lifespanInCaptivity over 80 years
lifespanInWild up to about 70 years
lifestyle semi-aquatic
locomotion swimming
walking on land
maximumLength about 6 meters
maximumWeight over 700 kilograms
nativeTo Africa
nestType burrow nests
mound nests
notableBehavior attacks humans
order Crocodilia
parentalCare female guards hatchlings
female guards nest
phylum Chordata
preysOn antelope
birds
domestic livestock
fish
mammals
wildebeest
zebras
reproduction oviparous
sexualDimorphism males larger than females
socialBehavior often basks in groups
taxonRank species
temperatureRegulation ectothermic
threat conflict with humans
habitat loss
hunting
typicalLength 3.5 to 5 meters
use leather production
meat
tourism attraction
yearDescribed 1768

Referenced by (6)

Full triples — surface form annotated when it differs from this entity's canonical label.

Nile crocodile binomialName Nile crocodile self-linksurface differs
this entity surface form: Crocodylus niloticus
Nile crocodile commonName Nile crocodile self-link
Mana Pools National Park habitatFor Nile crocodile
this entity surface form: Sweetheart (crocodile)
Syncerus caffer predator Nile crocodile