Nile crocodile

A hunter from the age of dinosaurs

Crocodiles lived alongside dinosaurs and have barely changed in 200 million years! The Nile crocodile grows up to 5 metres. It waits in the water for hours with only its eyes and nose showing. A crocodile's jaws are the strongest in the world — but the muscles that open them are weak: a person can hold its mouth shut with their hands.

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is Africa's largest reptile (up to 5 m, 700 kg), living in rivers and lakes south of the Sahara. Its bite force of 22,000 newtons is the strongest ever measured in an animal. Its eyes, ears and nostrils sit on top of its head so the whole body can hide underwater. It hunts fish, antelope, zebra and even buffalo, tearing prey apart with a 'death roll'. The mother guards her eggs for 3 months and carries hatchlings to the water in her mouth — rare care among reptiles. Its teeth are replaced constantly — up to 3,000 in a lifetime.

Fun facts

• A crocodile replaces 3,000 teeth in its life — we replace just 20.
• A crocodile can't stick out its tongue — it's attached to the roof of its mouth.
• Crocodiles 'cry' — not from sadness, but to keep their eyes moist.