Zvíře
Nile crocodile
An African predator whose stillness beside the water can be part of the hunt.
Jazyk obsahu
Ambush hunting does not require constant movement. A Nile crocodile waits in the water and attacks when prey comes close enough. Its natural menu includes fish, birds, mammals and other reptiles. A large adult can also catch an antelope arriving to drink. A river is therefore both its habitat and a place to find food.
Crocodylus niloticus inhabits African rivers, lakes and wetlands, including the Nile basin. Its rough grey-brown skin helps it blend into the water and banks. A long, powerful tail extends from its heavy body, and its jaws carry prominent teeth. Adult crocodiles reach several metres in length.
During the day, a crocodile often basks on the bank, while many hunts take place at night. Its life is divided between water and land. Wetland loss and hunting threaten some local populations. When watching, a lack of movement does not mean the animal is absent: its grey-brown back may barely stand out against its surroundings.
Pro děti
A crocodile can wait almost motionless for a long time. This is how it hunts by ambush: it stays in the water until prey comes close. It eats fish, birds, mammals and other reptiles. Powerful jaws and a long tail are part of this large predator's equipment.
The Nile crocodile lives in Africa, in rivers, lakes and wetlands. An adult may be several metres long. Grey-brown skin helps it blend into the surroundings. By day it often rests and basks on the bank, while many hunts happen at night. It uses both parts of its world: land and water. Wetlands are its home, so their destruction threatens local populations. Look at how little its skin colour differs from the colours around it.
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Which hunting strategy does a Nile crocodile use?
- Umístění
- Nile crocodile exhibit, stop 22 on the map.