Nile Crocodile — printable fact sheet

Did you know?

• Nile crocodiles can go for months without eating by slowing their metabolism, especially during dry seasons.
• Nile crocodiles have a unique hunting strategy: they often cooperate by forming semicircles to herd fish into shallow waters for easier capture. Despite their fearsome reputation, these crocodiles play a vital ecological role by controlling fish populations and scavenging carrion, which helps to prevent the spread of disease. Interestingly, the sex of Nile crocodile hatchlings is determined by the temperature of the nest, with warmer temperatures producing more males. A common misconception is that they are solitary creatures; however, they can exhibit complex social behaviors, such as communal basking and nesting.