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Types of crocodiles

There are 25 species of crocodilians. However, not all of these are crocodiles. In the family "crocodilians" there are four groups: true crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials. Below is an overview of all crocodilians.

Crocodylus

• Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

• Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis)

• New Guinea crocodile (Crocodylus novaeguineae)

• Australian crocodile (Crocodylus johnsoni)

• Siamese crocodile (Crocodylus siamensis)

• Sea crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

• Bulging crocodile (Crocodylus moreletii)

• Marsh crocodile (Crocodylus palustris)

• Orinococcus crocodile (Crocodylus intermedius)

• Diamond crocodile (Crocodylus rhombifer)

• Pointed muzzle crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Alligator

• Mississippi alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

• Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)

Caiman

• Spectacled caiman (Caiman crocodilus)

• Broad-nosed caiman (Caiman latirostris)

• Yacare caiman (Caiman yacare)

Gavialis

• Gavial (Gavialis gangeticus)

Mecistops

• Armored crocodile (Mecistops cataphractus)

Melanosuchus

• Black Caiman (Melanosuchus niger)

Osteolaemus

• Broad-headed crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)

Paleosuchus

• Cuvier's smooth-headed crocodile (Paleosuchus palpebrosus)

• Schneider's smooth-headed caiman (Paleosuchus trigonatus)

Tomistoma

• Spurious gavial (Tomistoma schlegelii)

Safaripark Beekse Bergen is home to the Nile crocodile. The information on this page is therefore also about this specific crocodilian.

What is an Nile crocodile?

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is a crocodilian from the family "true crocodiles" (Crocodylidae). It is the largest African crocodile. It can reach a length of over six meters! Like other crocodiles, its long body is armored and has a dark gray color. They have razor-sharp teeth. A Nile crocodile changes its teeth as many as 45 times in its life!

Difference between crocodiles and alligators

You can find the difference between alligators and crocodiles mainly by looking at its mouth. Can you see teeth when the animal has its mouth closed? Then it is a crocodile. In addition, alligators have a wide U-shaped mouth, while crocodiles have a narrower V-shaped mouth.

Where do crocodiles live?

Crocodilians are found almost worldwide. All species live around the equator: in Africa, large parts of South America, Central America, South Asia and northern Australia.

The group of true crocodiles is found in Africa, Central America, South Asia and northern Australia. Alligators and caimans occur in South and Central America and in and around Florida. Gavials are found only in South Asia. Europe and Antarctica are the only continents where there are no crocodilians at all.

Habitat of the Nile crocodile

Nile crocodiles live only in Africa. They are found in central and southern Africa. Their environment can consist of different wetlands such as river mouths, freshwater lakes and swamps. They live around water so they can seek cooling and drown their prey while hunting.

How does a crocodile hunt?

A Nile crocodile usually hunts alone. Unobtrusively, it sneaks up to the prey. Then it strikes at lightning speed and grabs the prey firmly with its strong jaws and sharp teeth. It then drags its prey into the water to drown it. An Nile crocodile cannot chew and will therefore tear the meat to pieces. The Nile crocodile turns its entire body around its prey, tearing the pieces of meat off the animal. This is also called the death roll.

What does a Nile crocodile eat?

A crocodile is a true carnivore. It therefore eats meat or fish. An Nile crocodile is capable of eating half its body weight in one sitting! Adult Nile crocodiles eat larger fish, vertebrates, such as antelope, zebras, young hippopotamus and larger felines, such as lions. After a very large prey, the Nile crocodile can go for months without eating! A Nile crocodile cannot chew, so it tears its prey to pieces and swallows the meat in one go.

What do crocodiles eat at the Safari Park?

The crocodiles in the Safari Park don't move much, except once a week when they are fed! Ranger Brent takes you to see the Nile crocodiles and tells you exactly what and how these animals eat.

How fast is a Nile crocodile?

Nile crocodiles are super fast and agile in the water. By moving their tail back and forth, they can reach 30 km per hour in the water!

The mating of a crocodile

Before mating, a mating ritual takes place. The males swim around the females to impress them. When a competing male arrives, they bang their heads together to win the female.

A crocodile lays eggs

The female lays her eggs in a self-dug hole. She lays about 35 to 60 eggs. The mother does not lie on the nest. In fact, this makes no sense because a Nile crocodile is cold-blooded and radiates little heat. She does stay with the nest before the young hatch. This takes about 75 to 90 days. Once the young have hatched, the mother takes them to the water in her mouth. Thus, they stay together for several months and the mother protects the young.

Males or females?

After about 2.5 months, the eggs hatch. Whether it is male or female depends on the temperature at which the embryo developed. Below about 31°C the young become females and at 34°C they become males. Between 31 and 34°C then both sexes are equally likely.

Is the Nile crocodile endangered?

The Nile crocodile is not endangered. According to the IUCN Red List, the Nile crocodile has "safe" status. There are estimated to be between 50,000 and 70,000 adult Nile crocodiles living in the wild. The biggest threat to the Nile crocodile is us, humans. The animals are killed out of fear or for the trade in their skin and meat. Their habitat is also destroyed and many crocodiles get caught in fishermen's nets.

Conservation

Fortunately, the status of the Nile crocodile is safe. But unfortunately, many of the species you see in our park are endangered and struggling in their native habitats. Did you know that worldwide more than 4,000 animal species threatened with extinction are endangered? Together we can help them, with big, or small steps. Want to know how? Then click here.

The crocodile lives in Africa and is a big and strong animal, but why isn't the Nile crocodile part of the big five? Ranger Robert explains in this Ranger Request.