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The African crocodile
The African crocodile is a ferocious beast. It is a true man-eater. Whilst living in East Africa, I would often hear horrifying tales about these reptiles.
I vividly remember sitting under the dark, African skies, gathered around a glowing, crackling fire with Warimu, the maid and Njoroge, the shamba-boy (gardener). All agog, I listened as they told me how the ‘mamba’ (Swahili for crocodile) attacked the people in their village. When natives approached nearby rivers to either bathe or wash their clothes, these deadly reptiles would suddenly pounce on them.
They described graphically how the crocodiles would run up on the land, at surprising bursts of speed, in pursuit of their victims. Then grab them, and carry them back into the water to drown! Those who survived these attacks were badly disfigured. Some lost their limbs.
“Aaieee! Crocodiles are a nightmare for villagers!” exclaimed both Warimu and Njoroge in unison, terror etched on their tanned, wrinkled faces.
Present not only in Africa, these cold-blooded vertebrates can be found in Asia, Australia and America. They have a tough, scaly skin which protects them from flying hooves of prey, and strong claws to climb quickly up slippery riverbanks. The jaw comprises of sharp teeth ready to devour its hapless victims.
The African crocodile, together with the salt-water crocodile, is the largest of the jungle predators. It can reach a record 24 ft in length, and weigh as much as three tons. Alligators and crocodiles belong to the same family and are very closely related to certain ancient dinosaurs that roamed the earth centuries ago.
They nest close to the water’s edge and their young are hatched from oval white eggs. Baby crocodiles are known as hatchlings.
Wild crocodiles are protected in many parts of the world, but they are also farmed commercially. Their hide is tanned and used to make leather goods such as shoes and handbags.
Believe it or not, but some people consider crocodile meat a delicacy!
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