Saturday, April 16, 2011

The A - Z April Challenge: N

N is for Nile Crocodile
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I was unable to get a good clear shot of a crocodile whilst on safari. The few we saw were on distant banks, usually lolling at the edge of ponds filled with lumbering hippos.
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Never easy to spot, the crocodile is a master of disguise. His nostrils, eyes and ears are situated on the top of his head, so the rest of the body can remain concealed underwater, and his coloration allows him to blend into the environment.
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The crocodile is an agile and rapid hunter relying on both movement and pressure sensors to catch any prey unfortunate enough to present itself near the water. Most hunting on land is done at night by lying in ambush near forest trails or roadsides.
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The Nile crocodile is the largest crocodile in Africa and is its top predator. While illegal poaching is no longer a problem, crocs are threatened by pollution, hunting, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets.
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Much of the hunting stems from his reputation as a man-eater, which is not entirely unjustified…Nile crocodiles live in close proximity to human populations, so contact can be frequent. While there are no solid numbers, it it believed that the Nile crocodile probably kills a couple of hundred people a year, more than all the other crocodiles combined.
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For more A - Z posts, be sure to pop by Arlee Bird's site and see what others have done with the letter N...
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http://www.tossingitout.blogspot.com/2011/01/very-special-and-exciting

And because its' Saturday, I am also linking up with Misty Mawn's Camera Critters...always a great site to visit!
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http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/

12 comments:

Jinksy said...

Reminds me never to smile at a crocodies... LOL

Debra She Who Seeks said...

Scary beasts!

Rekha said...

Scary Scales. Lovely, insightful post with great shots. Enjoy your weekend.

Sherry Blue Sky said...

What great photos, and information. Such a wily fellow he is!

Anonymous said...

Great shots. Guess I enjoy them most from a distance. :)
Happy weekend,
Zuzu

Betty Manousos said...

Scary but amazing shots!

Happy weekend!

Anonymous said...

Great shots! Love the way crocs are so ancient...

Chubskulit Rose said...

A little scary!!

Please come and see my critter post. Have a great weekend!

J.Rylie.C said...

Scary critters!


Would you come and see my critters? Thank you!

Bettey said...

You are brave!!! Great photos - happy weekend to you :)

Madeleine Begun Kane said...

Wonderful photos. Good job.
Mad Kane

adrielleroyale said...

Yikes!