CROCODILES IN MASAI MARA

Crocodiles are considered one of the fiercest and deadliest creatures that inhabit the water. They feed on flesh just like carnivorous animals. They hide in the Mara River as they target wildebeests, zebras, and gazelles migrating during the dry season. While water is life, many animal species keep their distance because of these reptiles. Crocodiles use their sharp, pointed teeth to grab prey resting by the shores. They also have thick, scaly, heavily-armored skin that protects them from getting injured easily. Let’s not forget their unmoving tongues, which are strongly fixed to the lower part of their jaw by a strong membrane, helping keep their throat closed. Surprisingly, these species are unable to chew, so they first kill the prey, bite into the meat, and then roll over once to tear off small enough chunks of meat to swallow.
The Nile crocodiles are the giants that typically feed on the surface since they can’t feed underwater. That’s why they toss their heads up and even control their oxygen consumption when submerged in water by slowing their heartbeat. The African dwarf crocodiles are the smallest, with large, beautiful eyes, mostly found in the forests, which are inhabited areas of the western half of Equatorial Africa. There are also African crocodiles that don’t grow longer than two meters, making them the smallest in Africa. Crocodiles are cold-blooded and live in water, but they can also move on land after warming up their bodies. This is where they usually mate. Their courtship is quite unique, involving the female blushing, making signs to the male, such as lifting the snout out of the water, tipping the head upwards, and nudging each other with their snouts. Finally, the male moves closer to the female, and mating takes place. Afterward, they spend about 15 minutes with each other. During hatching, these species show love and tenderness, carefully carrying their young to the safest place in the water.
There are also other wild species in this National Reserve, including lions, leopards, elephants, zebras, antelopes, snakes, turtles, and various birds like secretary birds, eagles, saddle-billed storks, Southern ground hornbills, Hamerkops, and ostriches, to name a few. There is also a variety of activities that one can enjoy, such as game drives, nature walks, hot air balloon safaris, bush meals, camping, and many others.
Don’t miss the adventure when the crocodiles are feasting at the Mara River; the doors are widely open throughout the year.