Mugger crocodile

Description:

The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) (literally "crocodile of the marsh"), also called the Indian, Indus, Persian, or marsh crocodile, is found throughout the Indian subcontinent and the surrounding countries. It is one of the three crocodilians found in India, the others being the Gharial and the Saltwater crocodile Mugger crocodiles have 19 upper teeth on each side; a snout that is 1⅓ to 1½ as long as broad at the base; a rough head but without any ridges; mandibular symphysis extending to the level of the fourth or fifth tooth; pre-maxillo-maxillary suture, on the palate, transverse, nearly straight, or curved forwards; and nasal bones separating the pnemaxillaries above. Four large nuchals forming a square, with a smaller one on each side; two pairs of smaller nuchals on a transverse series behind the occiput. Dorsal shield well separated from the nuchal, the scutes usually in 4, rarely in 6, longitudinal series, those of the two median usually considerably broader than long; 16 or 17 transverse series. Scales on limbs keeled. Fingers webbed at the base; outer toes extensively webbed. A serrated fringe on the outer edge of the leg. Adult blackish olive above: young pale olive, dotted and spotted with black. The largest specimen in the British Museum measures 12 feet, but individuals are said to grow much larger On average, females are 7.4 feet (2.45 m) and males are 10 feet (3 m). Old, mature males can get much larger, at up 4 to 5 m (13–16.5 feet) and the largest animal recorded was 16.8 ft. Individuals exceeding 14 feet are exceptionally rare, and these can weigh more than 450 kg (1000 lbs). Mugger crocodiles can achieve speed of around 8 mph over a short distance in pursuit of prey.They can swim much faster 10 to 12 mph in short bursts,when cruising they go at about 1 to 2 mph.

Habitat:

The mugger crocodile can be found in India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal, the southern tip of Iran, and probably in Indo-China and at one point, even in Southern Iraq. The mugger is the only crocodilian found in Iran and Pakistan.

Notes:

I saw this Mugger crocodile in Galgamuwa there is a Village called Kobbathikollawa A verry Rural Area one of the Villages Show me this in My Feald Visit to the Village . The Mugger crocodile was really upset so our Team of Conservationist put him on to the truck and take a long trip to the Rajangana Reservoir realeas to it's Habitat