Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris

[KevinA]

Had some interesting encounters whilst walking around a lake looking for birds in Sri Lanka.
A quote from wikipedia.org
'The Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known as mugger and marsh crocodile. It is native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, where it inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers, and artificial ponds. It rarely reaches a body length of 5 m (16 ft 5 in) and is a powerful swimmer, but also walks on land in search of suitable waterbodies during the hot season. Both young and adult mugger crocodiles dig burrows to which they retreat when the ambient temperature drops below 5 °C (41 °F) or exceeds 38 °C (100 °F). Females dig holes in the sand as nesting sites and lay up to 46 eggs during the dry season. The sex of hatchlings depends on temperature during incubation. Both parents protect the young for up to one year. They feed on insects, and adults prey on fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.'

Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris

Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris

 

[AlanLichty]

Nasty looking critter - that's a lot of teeth to avoid. The first image is a very good profile angle to show this creature off. Nice occasion for a long telephoto lens.

 

[JimFox]

Wow Kevin! What a treasure trove of images you got from Sri Lanka.

That's a very interesting looking Crocodile, and I appreciate the info on it as I found that rather interesting.

 

[larryj]

Had some interesting encounters whilst walking around a lake looking for birds in Sri Lanka.
A quote from wikipedia.org
'The Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known as mugger and marsh crocodile. It is native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, where it inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers, and artificial ponds. It rarely reaches a body length of 5 m (16 ft 5 in) and is a powerful swimmer, but also walks on land in search of suitable waterbodies during the hot season. Both young and adult mugger crocodiles dig burrows to which they retreat when the ambient temperature drops below 5 °C (41 °F) or exceeds 38 °C (100 °F). Females dig holes in the sand as nesting sites and lay up to 46 eggs during the dry season. The sex of hatchlings depends on temperature during incubation. Both parents protect the young for up to one year. They feed on insects, and adults prey on fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.'

Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris
View attachment 67465

Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris
View attachment 67466

Awesome images Kevin of some dangerous looking critters! I trust you were using a long-long lens for these captures.

 

[BlackRockArt]

Had some interesting encounters whilst walking around a lake looking for birds in Sri Lanka.
A quote from wikipedia.org
'The Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known as mugger and marsh crocodile. It is native to freshwater habitats from southern Iran to the Indian subcontinent, where it inhabits marshes, lakes, rivers, and artificial ponds. It rarely reaches a body length of 5 m (16 ft 5 in) and is a powerful swimmer, but also walks on land in search of suitable waterbodies during the hot season. Both young and adult mugger crocodiles dig burrows to which they retreat when the ambient temperature drops below 5 °C (41 °F) or exceeds 38 °C (100 °F). Females dig holes in the sand as nesting sites and lay up to 46 eggs during the dry season. The sex of hatchlings depends on temperature during incubation. Both parents protect the young for up to one year. They feed on insects, and adults prey on fish, reptiles, birds, and mammals.'

Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris
View attachment 67465

Mugger or Marsh Crocodile, Crocodylus palustris
View attachment 67466

This fellow needs some dental work, well shot, love it, Kevin.

Oliver

 

[KevinA]

Nasty looking critter - that's a lot of teeth to avoid. The first image is a very good profile angle to show this creature off. Nice occasion for a long telephoto lens.

Thanks Alan, definitely wouldn't want to get too close

Wow Kevin! What a treasure trove of images you got from Sri Lanka.

That's a very interesting looking Crocodile, and I appreciate the info on it as I found that rather interesting.

Thanks Jim

Awesome images Kevin of some dangerous looking critters! I trust you were using a long-long lens for these captures.

Thanks Larry

This fellow needs some dental work, well shot, love it, Kevin.

Oliver

Thanks for looking and commenting Oliver, it's really appreciated