Credits for the cover photo go to Matt Muir. This is a trio of wild Nile Crocodiles, photographed while feeding on a zebra in Kenya’s Maasai Mara reserve. More of Matt’s photos are visible here. 

A Brief Introduction

Please note that the subspecific status of Nile Crocodiles has been disputed, and the current breakdown is largely based on geographic distribution alone (there are a few slight differences in skull structure, but nothing of interest to the average enthusiast). Many sources simply list two species, C. niloticus and C. suchus - however, several authors have recognized an additional five, and occasionally six, subspecies, which earns them a mention here. Hopefully in time, the subspecies are better defined and this article can be rewritten to reflect that. Please also keep in mind that Nile Crocodiles within US zoological collections are generally difficult to assign to a single subspecies, and many are of completely unknown descent.

Eastern Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus africanus)

This subspecies refers to the Nile Crocodiles found in Burundi, Rwanda, Tanzania, and parts of Kenya and Uganda, and is best known for a single individual - Gustave. He is a male Crocodile from Burundi, where he has been spotted in Lake Tanganyika and the Ruzizi River, and is well-known in the area as a large maneater. Gustave has never been captured, but estimates for his length and weight are generally around 20’ and 2,000 pounds - he is assumed to be between 60 and 70 years old, and has reportedly killed hundreds of locals. Regardless of his true size, this is an undeniably large animal, and he’s been observed preying upon cape buffalo and even hippopotamus. Within the United States, the animals kept at the Dallas Zoo should be of pure Eastern origin. As mentioned, it is entirely possible that there are more Eastern Niles in captivity, but the subspecific status of these animals can be difficult to pinpoint.

Gustave, reportedly one of the largest and most dangerous Eastern Nile Crocodiles in the world. Credit to Martin Best and National Geographic for the photograph of this elusive animal - though he’s been reported as dead for the past four years or so, nobody has brought any evidence to the table to support this claim. 

Western Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus chamses)

Not to be confused with the Desert Crocodile (also referred to as the West African Crocodile), the Western Nile Crocodile is a larger crocodile found in at least eight countries, potentially more. The easternmost distribution includes parts of South Sudan, Uganda, and Zambia, with western populations found in Angola, the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and Gabon. Animals in the western reaches can be found alongside both Dwarf and Slender-Snouted Crocodiles in suitable habitats. The northernmost representatives are found in Sudan, while those furthest south can be seen in the northwestern parts of South Africa. Little identifying information for these crocodiles is available, and I am unaware of any pure Western Nile Crocodiles within the United States. As always, feel free to reach out if you have any information that contradicts this. 

A wild Western Nile Crocodile, photographed by Laura Martinez-Inigo in the coastal forests of Gabon.

South African Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus cowiei)

One of the best-documented subspecies of the Nile Crocodile, the South African Crocodile is found across most of South Africa, as the name suggests. They can also be found throughout Botswana and Eswatini, and the northern reaches of the distribution include Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and parts of Zambia. Of the pure subspecific Crocodiles in US herpetoculture, the South Africans are probably the most common and can be seen at multiple public facilities. The Niles kept at the Bronx Zoo, Disney’s Animal Kingdom, and Wildlife World Zoo in Arizona are all pure South African Crocodiles, making this subspecies somewhat well-represented.

A group of South African Crocodiles at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. 

Madagascar Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus madagascariensis)*

First described in 1872, there has been little to no diagnostic information for this subspecies outside of its distribution in southwestern Madagascar - because of this, it is generally considered invalid, and with the closest mainland animals living in Mozambique, it’s likely that these are synonymous with the South African Crocodile. Still, there are at least some pure Madagascar-bloodline Crocodiles in US herpetoculture, and they can be seen at Crocodile Encounter in Texas (and possibly a few other facilities).

A Madagascar Crocodile at Crocodile Encounter, located about 40 minutes south of Houston. 

Northern Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus niloticus)

The nominate subspecies of the Nile Crocodile is most well-known from parts of Ethiopia and Sudan, and this range includes the northernmost portions of the distribution in Egypt as well. The holotype for the Nile Crocodile (specimen used to formally describe the species in 1768) was collected somewhere in Egypt, hence the nominate subspecies being listed with this name. Unfortunately there is little to go off of to differentiate these animals, but all Niles are attractive Crocodiles, with a dark bronze coloration that fades to yellowish-green at the bottom, adorned with numerous black markings. Their eyes are also a brilliant emerald green, which is quite attractive. I am unaware of any pure Northern Nile Crocodiles in captivity, but please reach out if you have anything to contradict this.

A wild Northern Nile Crocodile, photographed by Vlada Trailin on the shore’s of Ethiopia’s Chamo Lake.

Kenyan Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus pauciscutatus)

Known obviously from Kenya, this subspecies is also known to occur in Somalia and portions of Ethiopia, but is again poorly described. One morphological difference with these Crocodiles appears to be the presence of more osteoderms across the back than in other subspecies, which offers protection in more ways than you might think. While they do offer a bit of added armor, this also means that Kenyan Crocodiles generally produce lower-quality leather than other subspecies, leading to lower exploitation for that market. I am unaware of any pure Kenyan Crocodiles in captivity, but please reach out if you have anything to contradict this.

A wild Kenyan Crocodile photographed by Michael Stastny in Tsavo National Park. 

Desert Crocodile (Crocodylus suchus)

Reaccepted by the scientific community first in 2003 and again several times throughout the first half of the 2010’s, this species was first described in 1807 based off of a mummified skull that looked a bit different when placed next to that of a Nile Crocodile. Nowadays, an extra pair of chromosomes found in the Desert Crocodile confirm beyond a shadow of a doubt that this is a distinct species. These Crocodiles can be found across the majority of West Africa, with a sizable population in the Central part of the continent and a few up North. When compared to the Nile Crocodile, the Desert Crocodile is smaller and reportedly less aggressive - although they can still reach lengths of at least 13’, and attacks on humans have occurred. A genetic study done on captive Niles found that a good portion of them are actually Desert Crocodiles, meaning that this species is somewhat well-represented in US facilities - one of several specialty crocodilian facilities in Florida will be the best guarantee of seeing one. I have seen at least a few Desert Crocodiles in private hands, although they are rare and many may be misidentified as Nile Crocodiles. 

A Desert Crocodile at the Philadelphia Zoo. Last I checked, this was still signed as a Nile, but it is most certainly a Desert Crocodile. 

A Word on Captive Nile Crocodiles

You may have noticed that I have not mentioned much about private individuals keeping Nile Crocodiles - that’s not because they aren’t around, in fact quite the contrary - they’re probably the most common “giant” species available to the average hobbyist. The only reason I’ve chosen to discuss them separately down here, as briefly mentioned earlier, is because most privately-owned Nile Crocodiles in the United States simply cannot be traced back to a subspecific status. I welcome any and all information about pure subspecific animals being kept in private hands, but I’m unaware of many (if any) at this point in time. Most Nile Crocodiles within zoos are also void of any subspecific status, but this remains a popular species for public display across the country. As far as captives go, Niles are an attractive, intelligent species that are revered by many a keeper - but it should go without saying that their size makes them unsuitable for all but the most dedicated teams of herpetoculturists. USCBB babies have been around the $1,000 mark as of late, with the occasional larger animal demanding a higher price. 

A pair of Piebald Nile Crocodiles, kept by Kyle Asplundh and Ryan Gradney of Primitive Predators.