HAPPY WORLD CROCODILE DAY!

June, 2025

A Few Crocodilian Facts

• June 17 is World Crocodile Day.

• Muggers, or marsh crocodiles, are one of the three crocodile species found in India. The other two are ghariyal and saltwater crocodile.

• Muggers live in freshwater habitats.

• The word mugger comes from the Sanskrit word, makara, which means water monster.

• The sex of the mugger hatchling depends on the temperature during incubation. The warmer it gets, the more it favours males.

• They are peace-loving and shy creatures, quickly vanishing into the water if they feel threatened.

• Territorial skirmishes among males are common during the mating season.

• The mortality rate is high, with many baby crocodiles getting devoured by birds and other reptiles, including their cannibalistic uncles and aunts.

• Crocodiles evolved more than 95 million years ago. Homo sapiens, by comparison, are an infantile species, having emerged in their modern form only 300,000 years ago.

• Many more muggers are attacked and killed by humans than the other way around.

• India does not have alligators.

All muggers featured on this page live in one mid-size lake. The last time I went there, I counted 45 adults, an average of 10 feet in length, and about 15 adorable little babies who love to be around their mommy.

The mommy has the exhausting task of keeping at bay the buffaloes, herons, and other adult crocodiles, and is often seen taking restful little naps. When she's asleep, the babies use her tail as their playground.

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