Mugger Crocodile
From Freepedia
| Mugger Crocodile
Conservation status: Lower risk (lc) | ||||||||||||||||
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| Image:Persiancrocodile.jpg Mugger Crocodile | ||||||||||||||||
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| Crocodylus palustris (Laurenti, 1768) |
The Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris), also called the Iranian, Marsh, or Persian Crocodile (in Persian گاندو Gandu), is found throughout the Indian subcontinent and the surrounding countries (India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, and parts of Nepal and Iran).
It is a large crocodile, sometimes exceeding fifteen feet in length. In appearance, it somewhat resembles an alligator as distinct from a crocodile, because of its broader jaws. It is however a true crocodile. The name Mugger comes from its name Magar Macchh in the Hindi language.
As a large carnivorous reptile, when mature it eats fish, other reptiles and large and small mammals. In fact, most vertebrates that approach to drink are potential prey, and may suffer being seized and dragged into the water to be drowned and devoured at leisure. Attacks on humans are known, and children playing in the water are especially vulnerable.
