Nile crocodile threatening while seeking the safety of water

Nile Crocodile Threat Display

Lower Zambezi National Park, Zimbabwe

Like all crocodilians, the Nile Crocodiles along the Zambezi River are ectotherms, regulating their body temperature by leaving the water to bask in the sun, or seeking shade or cooler water when necessary. Mouth-gaping is also essential to thermoregulation, but should not be confused with the threat display seen here.

Quite at home in the water, the crocodile is more vulnerable on land where it has to rely on its short limbs for locomotion and can only cover short distances before tiring. They can seem slow and sluggish but are actually quite fast and agile while hunting and defending. They seek water when alarmed.

Crocodiles have a powerful bite and can apply 5,000 pounds of pressure per square inch, among the strongest bites of any animal in the world. They have between 60-110 sharp, conical teeth that sink into flesh allowing a strong grip. Photo © copyright by Dr. Edward Mikol.

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