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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 .
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