![nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior](https://i.pinimg.com/originals/56/be/8e/56be8ea63b12064f592565efc22e0f40.jpg)
Outside water, crocodiles can meet competition from other dominant Savanna predators, notably felines such as lions and leopards. Hatchlings quickly lose a hardened piece of skin on the top of their mouth called the ''egg tooth'', which they use to break through their egg's shell at birth. On each side of the mouth, there are 5 teeth in the front of the upper jaw, 13 or 14 in the rest of the upper jaw, and 14 or 15 on either side of the lower jaw. Their mouths are filled with a total of 64 to 68 cone-shaped teeth. However, the muscles responsible for opening the mouth are exceptionally weak, allowing a man to easily hold them shut with a small amount of force. The bite force exerted by an adult Nile crocodile has been shown by Dr. Their skin has a number of poorly understood integumentary sense organs, that may react to changes in water pressure. They have a rich vocal range, and good hearing.
![nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior](https://www.crocoworld.com/wp-content/uploads/feeding_624.jpg)
They have an ectothermic metabolism, so they can survive a long time between meals - though when they do eat, they can eat up to half their body weight at a time. They normally dive for only a couple of minutes, but will stay underwater for up to 30 minutes if threatened, and if they remain inactive they can hold their breath for up to 2 hours. They have a four-chambered heart, although modified for their ectothermic nature due to an elongated cardiac septum, which is physiologically similar to the heart of a bird, which is especially efficient at oxygenating their blood. They can swim much faster by moving their body and tail in a sinuous fashion, and they can sustain this form of movement much longer at about 30 to 35 km/h. Smaller specimens can gallop, and even larger crocodiles are capable of surprising bursts of speeds, briefly reaching up to 12 to 14 km/h. They normally crawl along on their bellies, but they can also "high walk" with their trunks raised above the ground. The underbelly is yellowish, and makes high-quality leather. As they mature they become darker and the cross-bands fade, especially those on the body. Their coloration also helps them hide: Juveniles are grey, multicoloured, or brown with darker cross-bands on their tail and body. Nostrils, eyes, and ears are situated on the tops of their head, so the rest of the body can remain concealed underwater.
![nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior](https://i2-prod.mirror.co.uk/incoming/article4740651.ece/ALTERNATES/s615b/PAY-Lion-vs-crocodile.jpg)
They have nictitating membranes to protect their eyes and have lachrymal glands, and can cleanse their eyes with tears. Like all crocodiles, they are quadrupeds with four short, splayed legs long, powerful tails a scaly hide with rows of ossified scutes running down their back and tail and powerful jaws.
![nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior nile crocodile predator vs prey behavior](https://i.pinimg.com/736x/d2/63/62/d263620aaf3a88c7faa836a7ce6a613b--wildebeest-apex-predator.jpg)
There is some variation relative to environment specimens from swift flowing waters tend to be lighter in colour than those dwelling in lakes or swamps. The flanks, which are yellowish green in colour, have dark patches arranged in oblique stripes. Nile crocodiles have a dark bronze colouration above, with black spots on the back and a dirty purple on the belly.