24
The Cutting Edge By Mariette
TEAM TALK
DILE-a-CROC
“ Croc” and“ Dile” are two Nile Crocodiles( Crocodylis niloticus) at the Snake Park at Bayworld in Port Elizabeth
Crocodiles are reptiles and therefore cold blooded animals. They rely on external factors, such as the sun in their natural environment, to provide in all of their heat requirements. As reptiles, they are unable to sweat when they are hot and shiver when they are cold. In order to regulate their body temperature, they will often be seen with their mouth open. This form of temperature control could either be to cool down or to warm them up. During our cooler months( winter) they go off their food completely due to their metabolism slowing down( reptiles are designed to conserve their energy). They use the reserves they have built up over the previous months, to sustain and maintain condition during the cold spell.
As soon as spring arrives( low and behold our animals have their own internal clocks and love is in the air!), they display aggressive and territorial behaviour towards one another. This is typical and normal crocodilian behaviour during mating season. All of this leads to them fighting profusely, even drawing blood from one another at times! Their special lovehate relationship does not go unnoticed as we have even separated them before, just to find them back with one another the following day( it still remains a mystery as to how they managed to climb the barriers which was used to separate them). Perhaps it’ s a case of them not being able to live with one another, nor live without each other!
Quite interesting is the fact that the sex of hatchling crocodilians is determined by the temperature at which the egg was incubated. Females usually hatch at lower temperatures( 26 to 30 ° C) and males usually at higher temperatures( 31 to 34 ° C).
The crocodiles prefer water that camouflages them. However, to maintain a hygienic environment, their pools are cleaned periodically.
24