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Ethiopian Nile Crocodile


Ethiopian Nile Crocodile
Photo Information
Copyright: Peter van Zoest (PeterZ) Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5137 W: 166 N: 13121] (49139)
Genre: Animals
Medium: Color
Date Taken: 2008-08-14
Categories: Reptiles
Camera: Nikon D300, AF Nikkor 70-300mm f4-5.6 G, Digital RAW
Exposure: f/11, 1/500 seconds
More Photo Info: [view]
Photo Version: Original Version
Theme(s): Reptiles of Africa [view contributor(s)]
Date Submitted: 2008-12-08 10:47
Viewed: 10971
Points: 42
[Note Guidelines] Photographer's Note
This is the head and eyes of a huge Ethiopian Nile Crocodile. In Ethiopia live the biggest of all crocodiles, the crocodiles niloticus niloticus, to 7 metre. This photo is taken from a boat on Lake Chamo near Arba Minch. This one came very close to our boat.

COMMON NAMES:
Nile crocodile, Mamba, Garwe, Ngwenya

NAME ETYMOLOGY:
Crocodylus is derived from the Greek krokodeilos which means literally "pebble worm" (kroko = pebble; deilos = worm, or man) referring to the appearance of a crocodile.
Niloticus means "of the Nile" (Nile River, Africa)

SUBSPECIES:
Given the wide distribution range, a number of population differences have been observed, and several subspecies proposed. These are rarely differentiated in the literature, however, and they are not officially recognised.

Suggested subspecies: C. n. africanus (East African Nile crocodile), C. n. chamses (West African Nile crocodile), C. n. corviei (South African Nile crocodile), C. n. madagascariensis (Malagasy Nile crocodile, Malagasy alligator, Croco Mada), C. n. niloticus (Ethiopian Nile crocodile), C. n. pauciscutatus (Kenyan Nile crocodile, Kenya alligator, Kenya caiman), C. n. suchus (Central African Nile crocodile)

HABITAT:
Wide habitat preferences, reflecting their success and distribution- e.g. lakes, rivers, freshwater swamps, brackish water. Sub-adults disperse into different habitats, away from breeding areas, when they reach a length of approximately 1.2 m. Nile crocodiles modify their habitat by digging dens (usually with their snouts and feet) into which they retreat from adverse conditions such as temperature extremes.

IUCN Red List: LRlc (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN, may be threatened in some parts of range)
Estimated wild population: 250,000 to 500,000

Summary: Wide distribution coupled with healthy populations and successful management in many areas. A few areas are poorly surveyed or with depleted populations.

APPEARANCE:
Considerable variation exists throughout the range of the Nile crocodile. Generally, it is a large crocodilian, averaging 5 m in length but reportedly reaching 6 m in rare instances. There are dubious reports of 7 m animals having existed, but these are hard to verify. There is some evidence that Nile crocodiles in cooler countries (eg. South Africa) reach slightly smaller adult sizes (4 m). There are two known population of dwarf Nile crocodiles living on the extreme limits of the species' range, in Mali and even the Sahara Desert! Due to suboptimal conditions, adults average between 2 and 3 metres. Juveniles are dark olive brown with black cross-banding on the tail and body. This banding becomes fainter in adults. Total no. of teeth = 64-68.
PaulH, eng55, jconceicao, jaycee, nglen, horia, Jamesp, albert, Adanac, marhowie, uleko, Argus has marked this note useful
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Critiques [Translate]

  • Great 
  • PaulH Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1137 W: 26 N: 3879] (13882)
  • [2008-12-08 12:07]

Hi Peter,
great shot of a view that means trouble! The marking you have caught here are excellent and also very beautiful, they are different to what i eexpected to see, almost like stripes. Interesting shot with a good note, thanks alot for sharing it.
Paul

  • Great 
  • eng55 Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 1256 W: 42 N: 1976] (5892)
  • [2008-12-08 12:25]

Hi Peter,
Excellent photo.Well caught,framed and composed.
Thanks for posting.

Hello Peter,

Great capture.
Nice colours with fantastic details.
Lighting and composition are splendid.

  • Great 
  • jaycee Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2454 W: 10 N: 8044] (25460)
  • [2008-12-08 13:03]

Hi Peter,

An amazing capture of this Nile Crocodile with the unusual colors and markings. I have not seen a yellow crocodile before. A fantastic shot with wonderful colors and the finest of details. I'm hoping you took this from a big boat - wouldn't want to meet up with him while paddling a canoe.

Jane

  • Great 
  • nglen Gold Star Critiquer/Silver Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2883 W: 30 N: 9683] (36145)
  • [2008-12-08 13:35]

Hi Peter. I think this is close enough . But it let you take this fine close up with sharp detail and bright colours. I have never seen one this colour. well done TFS. Interesting notes too.
Nick..

Ciao Peter, fantastic portrait with splendid focus on eye, I like a lot, ciao Silvio

I guess you meant the largest of African crocodile as the saltwater = estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is always reported as the largest of all.
Crisp clear shot and very close indeed. It looks enormous.
TFS
JM

hello peter,
perfect m-photograf

  • Great 
  • horia Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 2158 W: 224 N: 4749] (16656)
  • [2008-12-08 15:23]

Hi Peter

This is indeed something very rare here...thanks a lot for sharing this one with us!
A mature Nile Crocodile is indeed an incredible sight and you close-up here is terrific. I love the details on its head and around its eyes. The colors and textures are also excellent.
I wish i could only see this specimen in comparison to a human or something...to fully appreciate its immense size :)
Anyway, great work!

Bravo and TFS
Horia

Hi My friend Peter, a great capture from postero-lateral POV a head part of Nile crocodile. Great catch. The vertical pupil of the eye also prominent. TFS and cheers.
Bayram

  • Great 
  • Jamesp Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1369 W: 9 N: 6334] (18906)
  • [2008-12-08 23:51]

Hi Peter

You are right - I have never seen such big crocodiles as I did on this lake - I posted two, but forgot the lake, so my location is wrong! ANyway - great shot with good detail and colours.

James

Ciao Peter,
splendida immagine di Coccodrillo del Nilo catturato con ottima nitidezza in un spettacolare e tipico comportamento a pelo d'acqua, molto belli i colori e "testures" della pelle,
TFS.
Maurizio

Hello Peter,
Impressive "close-up" of a crocodile's head
Light and colours are beautiful, sharp details of the skin
Well done and TFS
Albert

  • Great 
  • Adanac Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 1273 W: 1 N: 6188] (21378)
  • [2008-12-09 5:46]

Hello Peter,
What beautiful markings on this incredible croc. Your image has great colors and details as always, thank you Peter.
Rick

  • Great 
  • gannu Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Note Writer [C: 988 W: 4 N: 3277] (14761)
  • [2008-12-09 8:13]

Hello Peter, Great shot and what a view. Your presentation is very fine here. Ganesh

Hi Peter,
The shape of the gators head, along with the unique markings and coloration make for an interesting capture..
Nicely framed with great details, color, and light :)
Well done,
Howard

  • Great 
  • uleko Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 3396 W: 172 N: 3310] (10940)
  • [2008-12-10 9:40]

Hello Peter,
I would never have guessed that this was a Crocodile, but seeing your next picture I believe you!! There are very few animals that worry me but Crocodiles I find very scary! I would probably have screemed if this one had popped up next to my boat! A very interesting capture showing its pattern and colours very clearly. Interesting to read your note - I'll definitely keep away from them!
TFS and best wishes, Ulla

  • Great 
  • Argus Gold Star Critiquer/Gold Star Workshop Editor/Gold Note Writer [C: 5038 W: 260 N: 15594] (50626)
  • [2008-12-10 11:48]

Hello Peter,
An amazing close shot of part of the head of a Nile Crocodile. Usually we see the dried skin of the crocodile caked with mud, but here it has been washed and when wet it has a strikingly attractive pattern. I wonder what the two ridges in front of the eyes are for.
Thanks for sharing this unusual image that is great to view,
Kind regards,
Ivan

Hallo Peter,
Gigantisch beest en wat een speciale kleuren...Gelukkig heeft ze geen oog voor jouw...:-)
Denk toch niet dat je hier rustig in de boot zat....
Bedankt
Annick

Hello Peter !
This is something different frm the cute birds and colorful butterfly we always see on TN - something more dangerous, too ! :-) I like it very much, specially those yellow and black markings on its skin. You also managed to get excellent details on your picture, and I like how you composed it. It must have been a great moment for you to meet this Nile Croco, thank you for sharing it here.
Valerie.

Hello Peter,
I have never seen crocodile with this ggolden texture of the skin. This shot is beautiful in close framing with the eye just above the surface.
Thanks and kind regards,
Jusni

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