crocodile resting the water channel sigiriya fortress sri lanka asia

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Crocodile resting in the water channel of Sigiriya Fortress, Sri Lanka, Asia Royalty Free Stock Photo

Crocodile resting in the water channel of Sigiriya Fortress, Sri Lanka, Asia

The mugger crocodile ( Crocodylus palustris ) is a medium-sized broad-snouted crocodile, also known as mugger and marsh crocodile. Mugger crocodile hatchlings are pale olive with black spots. Adults are dark olive to grey or brown. The head is rough without any ridges and has large scutes around the neck that is well separated from the back. In Sri Lanka, it occurs in Wilpattu, Yala and Bundala National Parks. The mugger crocodile preys on fish, snakes, turtles, birds and mammals including monkeys, squirrels, rodents, otters and dogs. It also scavenges on dead animals. During dry seasons, muggers walk many kilometers over land in search of water and prey. Hatchlings feed mainly on insects such as beetles, but also on crabs and shrimp and on vertebrates later on.Sri Lanka has two species of crocodiles. One is the Mugger or Marsh crocodile known specifically as Crocodylus palustris. It is known as the Geta Kimbula in Sinhala. The other is the Saltwater or Estuarine crocodile with the specific name Crocodylus porosus. .