Two Nile crocodiles resting on pale ground at a farm in South Africa.

Nile crocodiles photographed at Le Bonheur Crocodile Farm near Stellenbosch, South Africa.

Creator: Dewet

Licence: CC BY-SA 2.0

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Species record

Nile Crocodile

Crocodylus niloticus

Explore the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) species record in The Ark Is Earth, including classification, habitat, distribution, conservation information, and sources.

Summary

Nile crocodiles live across much of sub-Saharan Africa, including Madagascar, in rivers, lakes, and freshwater swamps. They are ambush predators that often wait near water for prey. Females guard nests and may carry hatchlings to the water while defending them from predators.

Classification in this archive

  1. Kingdom: Animals
  2. Phylum: Chordates
  3. Subphylum: Vertebrates
  4. Class: Reptilia
  5. Order: Crocodilia
  6. Family: Crocodylidae
  7. Genus: Crocodylus

Habitat and distribution

Selected documented locations — not a complete species range.

Habitat
rivers, lakes, freshwater swamps, wetland shorelines
Selected regions
Africa

Conservation status

Conservation status not recorded.

Did you know?

  • A mother Nile crocodile may carry newly hatched young to the water and defend them from predators.

Sources and attribution