Common Name: Mugger
Scientific Name: Crocodylus palustris
Family: Crocodylidae – Crocodile family
Location: Bangladash, India, Iran, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka
Size: 13.0 – 16.4 inches (4 – 5 meters)
The Mugger Crocodile lives in most freshwater habitats including lakes, streams, ponds, and streams. They are known to burrow down in the ground to escape both hot and cold weather. A fascinating fact about the croc is that they are capable of using tools. During the nesting season for birds, the Mugger balances sticks on their head. Then, the birds come to gather the sticks for their nest and get to close to the crocodile and then BAM. The crocodile gets its dinner.
For mating season for the Mugger starts in November during the cold season. The male crocs bellow out to attract the female crocs. The female lay their eggs in nests during the dry season between February and June. They lay between 8 to 46 eggs. The eggs hatch around 2 month later.
The International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List assesses the Mugger as Vulnerable to Extinction. This is due to decreases in their population size due to habitat destruction and illegal poaching. Better protections are needed to help save the species.