Nile Crocodile

Question 1

What is the scientific name of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 1

Crocodylus niloticus

Question 2

What is the range and habitat of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 2

It is found in southern, central, and eastern Africa in lakes, rivers, and marshlands.

Question 3

True or false, the Nile crocodile is fond of saltwater environments.

Answer 3

False.

Question 4

Where have Nile crocodiles been extirpated?

Answer 4

The Nile delta.

Question 5

How long is the average Nile crocodile?

Answer 5

13 - 16 feet long.

Question 6

What is the absolute longest Nile crocodiles can get?

Answer 6

Over 20 feet

Question 7

How heavy are Nile crocodiles?

Answer 7

Between 1,000 and 2,000 pounds

Question 8

What do Nile crocodiles eat?

Answer 8

Fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.

Question 9

What is the difference between a generalist species and a specialist species?

Answer 9

Generalist species, like raccoons, can eat many foods and adapt to many habitats. Specialist species, like koalas, will only eat one or a select few and have a restricted ability to adapt.

Question 10

How do Nile crocodiles hunt?

Answer 10

They spend a very long time (Up to weeks) sitting in the water or nearby the water waiting for prey to come close enough, and then ambush it. They will then drown their prey and tear it apart.

Question 11

Are Nile crocodiles social?

Answer 11

Yes. They share basking spots and large pieces of food.

Question 12

Who is at the top of the crocodile hierarchy and are they often challenged?

Answer 12

Old males are at the top and they are not often challenged. Crocodiles know their place.

Question 13

What is the conservation status of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 13

Least concern.

Question 14

What does crocodylus mean in Greek?

Answer 14

Pebble worm.

Question 15

What is the Swahili word for crocodile?

Answer 15

Mamba.

Question 16

Are crocodiles that live in swamps or swift rivers lighter?

Answer 16

Swamps.

Question 17

What are some adaptions of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 17

Powerful tail for swimming.

Nictating membrane,

Question 18

Who is the largest, deadliest Nile crocodile alive today?

Answer 18

Gustave.

Question 19

Why are there fewer giant crocodiles today?

Answer 19

Smaller populations and reduction of wetland habitat.

Question 20

What species of crocodile was once considered a subspecies of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 20

The west African crocodile.

Question 21

What kind of habitat has the Nile crocodile adapted to by living in Madagascar?

Answer 21

Caves.

Question 22

How long can the Nile crocodile hold its breath?

Answer 22

Normally thirty minutes, but if it goes inactive, it can stay under for two hours.

Question 23

How fast can Nile crocodiles run?

Answer 23

7 - 8 miles an hour.

Question 24

How fast can Nile crocodiles swim?

Answer 24

Up to 22 mph.

Question 25

How many teeth do crocodiles have?

Answer 25

64 - 68

Question 26

What is the speculated lifespan of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 26

70 - 100 years

Question 27

What is the speculated bite force of a crocodile?

Answer 27

5,000 pounds per square inch.

Question 28

What do young Nile crocodiles eat?

Answer 28

Small fish, invertebrates, and frogs.

Question 29

True or false, Nile crocodiles attack more humans than any other species of crocodile.

Answer 29

True.

Question 30

How long are Nile crocodiles when they reach sexual maturity?

Answer 30

Males: 10 feet Females: 6 to 8 feet

Question 31

How do male Nile crocodiles attract females?

Answer 31

Bellowing, slapping the water, and otherwise vocalizing.

Question 32

What is the gestation period of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 32

Two months.

Question 33

How many eggs does the Nile crocodile lay?

Answer 33

Between 20 and 80

Question 34

What is unusual about the nest of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 34

It is in sand rather than rotting vegetation.

Question 35

What is the temperature range for male Nile crocodiles to be born?

Answer 35

89 - 94 degrees

Question 36

True or false, unlike many crocodillians, Nile crocodiles are not good parents.

Answer 36

False.

Question 37

How long are baby Nile crocodiles at birth?

Answer 37

One foot

Question 38

How long are baby Nile crocodiles when they leave their mother?

Answer 38

4 feet.

Question 39

What is the current population of Nile crocodiles?

Answer 39

500,000

Question 40

What are some threats to the survival of the Nile crocodile?

Answer 40

Hunting for leather, pollution, and loss of habitat.

Question 41

What is sympatry?

Answer 41

When two species live in the same area and as such, frequently encounter each other.

Question 42

What is a creche?

Answer 42

When multiple animals in a group work to raise a young one.

Question 43

Do Nile crocodiles form creches?

Answer 43

Yes.

Question 44

How many people has Gustave the Nile crocodile killed?

Answer 44

300

Question 45

What will Nile crocodiles sometimes do to soften prey?

Answer 45

They will leave it underwater for a while.

Question 46

What is Gustave's most noticeable trait?

Answer 46

He has three bullet scars.

Question 47

When were Nile crocodiles most severely hunted?

Answer 47

1940 - 1960