Mugger Crocodile Ranthambore
Mugger Crocodile Ranthambore National Park. A large marsh crocodile reflected in a river in late afternoon sunshine. Ranthambore National Park, Rajasthan, India.
About the Mugger Crocodile:
The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile found in freshwater habitats throughout the Indian subcontinent and parts of Asia. Also known as mugger and marsh crocodile, they inhabit marshes, rivers, lakes and ponds. Muggers can reach 5 m in length and are powerful swimmers. Muggers dig burrows to escape temperatures below 5 °C and above 38 °C. Females dig holes in the sand which are used as nesting sites. Both parents provide food and protection for the young for up to one year. Their diet consists of insects, fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Marsh Crocodile conservation:
Mugger crocodiles evolved at least 4.19 million years ago. It was first scientifically described in 1831 and is protected by law in Iran, India and Sri Lanka. Since 1982, it has been listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Outside protected areas, it is threatened by conversion of natural habitats, gets entangled in fishing nets and is killed in human–wildlife conflict situations and in traffic accidents.
You can find out more about muggers here.