When we think of danger in the water, the first scenes that spring to mind are likely a triangular fin cutting through the water to wreak bloody havoc on an unsuspecting surfer, or the massive, triangular jaws of a shark looming up from the depths towards a terrified swimmer. However, statistically speaking, shark attacks are incredibly rare (phew!). Crocodile attacks, on the other hand, aren’t. Indeed, you are probably over 100 times more likely to be attacked by a crocodile than a shark. If you happen to find yourself in croc territory, it’s fair to say you have reason to be concerned, particularly if that crocodile is a Nile crocodile.
What Is A Nile Crocodile?
The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is the second largest species of crocodilian after the saltwater crocodile, and is found predominantly in sub-Saharan Africa. This species can grow up to 5m (16ft 5in) in length and 750kg (1,650lb) in weight, with the largest individuals measuring over 6m (20ft) and weighing 1,000kg (2,200lb). Nile crocodiles have powerful, pointed jaws, filled with some 68 conical teeth. As with all true crocodiles, the teeth of both the upper and lower jaws are visible even when the mouth is closed (which is not true with e.g.: alligators). Nile crocodiles have one of the strongest bite forces of any living animal. However, this force only exists when closing their jaws; the muscles used for opening them are so weak that a grown man could keep them shut if he wrapped his hands around them (and managed to stay on top of what is probably a very angry crocodile). Nile crocodiles are found in or around freshwater rivers and lakes, but can also survive in saltwater.
What Do Nile Crocodiles Eat?
Pretty much whatever they can. Nile crocodiles are far from being picky eaters, and will consume anything from carrion and small fish to water buffalo and even the occasional human. They are highly aggressive, opportunistic ambush predators, which lie in wait under the surface of the water near the shore. When a prey animal comes to drink, the crocodile lunges forward with a powerful thrust from its tail, before clamping its jaws around the unfortunate creature’s head or neck and dragging it into the water. Then, it either drowns its victim, or performs a “death-roll” (it is what it sounds like) in order to dismember the creature before eating it.
Nile Crocodile Attacks On Humans
Unfortunately, the majority of attacks on humans go unreported. This is, in part, because of the 30 or so African countries in which attacks occur, less than half of them collect reliable data. This basically means that Nile crocodile attacks happen far more frequently than we “officially” know. The official estimate of anywhere between 275 and 745 attacks per year is anything but precise (or, probably, accurate); indeed, anecdotal data would imply that the actual number is potentially around 10 times higher. In comparison, this is anywhere between 10 and 100 times more than the number of attacks by sharks of any of the 500+ species (“Jaws” is seeming about as likely as “Jurassic Park” at this rate).
But why?
Why are Nile crocodiles so out to get us? Do they actively hunt humans? Well…yes, and no. While we are not natural prey for any of the 20 species of crocodile, we are certainly edible. As opportunistic predators, crocodiles avoiding an easy meal (such as an ungainly, definitely-terrestrial human-in-water) would be about as foolish as a starving person turning down a burger. Will it fill you up for the next few days? No. Will it stave off hunger and nourish you for a while? Absolutely.
The point is, as much as we like to think of ourselves as somehow “above” the rest of the animal kingdom, we simply aren’t. In the grand scheme of things, we’re as much an easy meal as the next lump of flesh on legs. To expect any animal to view us differently is just arrogant and short-sighted. Nile crocodiles are large, immensely powerful predators, which have been around for the last 250 million years. To have lasted this long, they have had to learn to be opportunistic, to adapt to their environment and take advantage of whatever resources they find. This includes humans.
Sadly, as human and crocodile environments overlap, encounters are becoming increasingly frequent. As human society takes up more and more “natural” space, the prey source for many crocodiles in Africa becomes limited to whatever they find in their territory: livestock and humans. Sadly for most of the victims of crocodile attacks, they have no choice but to enter crocodile territory to survive. Without clean, running water to drink and wash with, or safe areas for their livestock to drink from, crocodile attacks are an unhappy reality for many people living in poverty.
