Crocodiles exhibit a surprising level of parental devotion, challenging common assumptions about reptiles. Unlike many other reptiles that abandon their eggs, crocodiles engage in extensive care for their offspring. This commitment, from nesting through their initial weeks or months of life, reveals a complex and dedicated approach to reproduction.
From Nest to Hatching
Crocodilian parental care begins with the female’s construction of a nest. She might build a mound of vegetation, mud, and soil, or excavate a hole in the sand. These nests are strategically located near water but on elevated ground, safeguarding the eggs from flooding. A female typically lays 30 to 60 eggs, which incubate for 65 to 90 days.
During incubation, the mother remains vigilantly close to the nest, guarding it fiercely against predators like raccoons and monitor lizards. She regulates the nest’s temperature and moisture, which is crucial as it determines the hatchlings’ sex. This protection increases the survival rate of the eggs.
Protecting the Young After Hatching
As hatching approaches, the young vocalize, emitting chirping sounds from within their eggs. This signal prompts the mother to excavate the nest, freeing the hatchlings. She may even assist hatching by gently rolling unhatched eggs in her mouth.
After emergence, the mother gathers hatchlings in her powerful jaws. She transports them to a shallow nursery area in the water. Despite their formidable bite force, her jaws possess sensitive pressure detectors that allow her to carry multiple hatchlings, sometimes up to 15, without harm. This transport is important, as hatchlings are vulnerable after hatching.
The Extent of Crocodilian Parental Care
Once relocated to a nursery area, the mother continues to provide protection. She remains close, defending her young from predators, including larger fish, birds, and other crocodiles. This protective phase can last from several weeks to a few months, with some species, like the Nile crocodile, extending care for up to two years.
While this care is primarily protective, it does not involve teaching the young to hunt or provisioning them with food; hatchlings find their own sustenance. The presence of an adult deters predators, allowing vulnerable juveniles a safer environment to develop foraging skills. Parental care varies among species; some, like the saltwater crocodile, show extensive care, while others, such as the dwarf crocodile, show less. Although females are primary caregivers, rare male involvement has been observed in some species, notably the Gharial, where males protect the young.