Third croc caught in Zaaihoek and Leeuwpoort area
Mr Piet Wassenaar has caught three crocs in the same area on December 17, 23, and New Year’s Day.
Locals are cautioned to still avoid streams and dams in the Zaaihoek and Leeuwpoort areas.
A third crocodile was caught in a dam in that area.
Mr Piet Wassenaar has caught three crocs in the same area on December 17, 23, and New Year’s Day.
The Mpumalanga Tourist and Park Agencies are busy with an investigation to establish where the crocs come from as they are not usually seen in this area. But in Loskop Dam there are several Nile crocodiles present.
Piet said they are aware of about seven crocs on the outskirts of eMalahleni.
If you see a croc contact Piet on 072 808 1390.
According to livescience.com there are 13 species of crocodiles, so there are many different sizes of crocodile.
The smallest crocodile is the dwarf crocodile. It grows to about 1.7 meters in length and weighs 6 to 7 kilograms. The largest crocodile is the saltwater crocodile. The largest one ever found was 6.17 m long. They can weigh up to 907 kg.
When a crocodile loses a tooth, it is quickly replaced. These reptiles can go through 8 000 teeth over a lifetime.
Crocodiles don’t sweat. To keep cool, they open their mouths in a process that is called “mouth gaping,” which is a lot like panting.
A crocodile’s jaws can apply 5 000 pounds of pressure per square inch. This means that they can bite through an arm or a leg with no problem. A human’s jaw only produces 100 pounds of pressure per square inch. The crocodile jaw has very little opening strength, though. For example, a crocodile’s mouth can be held shut with a rubber band.
In addition to their strong jaws, crocodiles also have very keen hearing. It is so good, they can hear their babies calling from inside their egg.
Crocodiles are very fast swimmers, which helps them catch their prey.
