When on your safari hunting dangerous or plains game, should you be hunting near rivers, estuaries and lakes, you will most certainly confirm that the African crocodile you spotted basking in the sun, is neither furry or cuddly. It is, in fact, a perfectly designed killing machine, from the streamlined tail to its webbed feet.
While this predator has a serious image problem, the African crocodile plays a vital role in our ecosystems. It is famous for playing the “villain” in most wildlife and nature documentaries and seen leaping out of the water, catching some unfortunate victim unawares. Crocodiles are hunted for their meat and skin and are actually threatened by growing human population numbers because of a reduction of their natural habitat. Their teeth are hooked, packed with the worst bacteria, and not very well suited for chewing. They are known to take a solid grip on a large part of their prey’s anatomy and twist and spin in the water until that specific anatomy part is ripped off and swallowed in a single gulp.
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African Crocodile Sub-Species
There are numerous species of crocodile, and several currently threatened:
The West African Slender-snouted Crocodile (Mecistops Cataphractus)
The slender-snouted crocodile found in Central and Western Africa is rated “critically endangered” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). It is a medium-sized reptile that mostly feeds on fish and vertebrates.
The Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
Dangerous game hunting in Africa usually targets the infamous Nile Crocodile. The Nile crocodile has a broad snout that is more noticeable on older animals and is a large and extremely aggressive cold-blooded reptile that is not capable of feeling any pain.
These crocodiles are native to African freshwater habitats and are present in twenty-six countries. The adult male crocodile is 11-16 feet long and can weigh up to 2,200 pounds.
They are opportunistic apex predators and can wait for anything from a few hours to weeks for the suitable moment to attack. Nile crocodiles have a powerful bite that is unique among all animals, with a grip that is almost impossible to loosen and a great advantage when holding large animals under water. The crocodile has around 64-68 razor sharp, large teeth and powerful tail with an immense appetite for anything that moves. It is not too picky in terms of food sources.
They are relatively social, sharing basking areas and large food sources. Hatchlings get protected for a short period of time but hunt for themselves and not fed by their parents. These creatures are the most dangerous species of crocodile and are responsible for hundreds of human deaths every year.
The stomach contents of most Nile crocodiles is extremely vile to say the least! Stomach contents found are known to contain items such as shoes, clothes, bones and even rocks. The stomach acids are strong enough to dissolve almost anything, and the content is sought after in certain cultures by witch doctors and traditional healers. The Nile crocodile has an extraordinary swimming speed 48-56 miles per hour. This swimming ability, paired with its fierce demeanor, bad attitude, blood thirsty instincts and sharp teeth, ensure that it is a force with which to be reckoned for unfortunate prey everywhere. They are not only fast and efficient killing machines, but live to be more than 100!
For hunters planning on hunting crocodile during their dangerous game hunt in Africa, you should be aware that crocodiles are certainly not picky when it comes to food, and you may well become the croc’s next meal if you aren’t careful!
Even as an apex predator, the Nile crocodile is one of the few reptile species where the male is known to contribute to parental care. Who would have thought this cold-blooded water monster had a soft spot for its young!
The Dwarf Crocodile (Osteolaemus Tetraspis)
The Dwarf crocodile attains a medium adult length of around 4.9 feet, and adult specimens weigh 40-70 pounds, making it the smallest member of the crocodilian family. Adults are mostly dark on their back and sides, and juveniles have a lighter brown banding on bodies and tails.
Dwarf crocodiles range across tropical regions of Sub-Saharan West Africa and Central Africa. They live in streams, small rivers, swamps, pools and mangroves and avoid main sections of larger rivers and estuaries.
It feeds on fish, frogs, insects, lizards and water birds and spend their days hidden in pools and water retreats. In the dry season, they can survive for extended periods without food and retreat into deep holes. Their breeding season spans from May to June, where their nest is a mound of wet decaying vegetation that incubates eggs.
The West African Crocodile (Crocodylus Suchus)
The West African crocodile is a species of crocodile often confused with the more aggressive Nile crocodile. Recent studies have shown them to be a distant species of the larger Nile crocodile. Western African crocodiles have established themselves in much of West and Central Africa, ranging east to South Sudan and Uganda and south to the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The West African crocodile is a semi-aquatic reptile and is able to move quickly over short distances, even out of water and like most crocodiles are ambush predators. As with all crocodile species, the female is known as a cow and the male a bull. They are on the critically endangered list and cannot be legally hunted. The main threats to the West African crocodile are habitat loss and humans, as certain areas see them illegally hunted for the meat trade and skin. They are also considered pests by local fishermen as they easily remove fish from nets placed across waterways.
All crocodiles, as prehistoric as they are, are designed in such a way to ensure that are they are successful apex predators without many other African species able to challenge an adult African crocodile successfully.
What are the Big 7 in Game Hunting?
The Big 7 in game hunting is more commonly known as the Dangerous 7 and comprises the following African animals:
All of these predators are quite happy (and without feeling any remorse whatsoever!) to terminate any hunters’ existence in a heartbeat!
Can you eat crocodile?
Yes, crocodile meat is edible, and is commercially produced for fine dining restaurants and consumed by local indigenous hunters.
Personally, when I am on a hunting safari for crocodile in the remote regions of Africa, I choose not to dine on their meat, as I am fully aware that the Nile crocodile’s staple food source is the local population!
Hunting African Crocodiles
Hunting this cold-blooded prehistoric reptile is extremely exciting and very rewarding. While hunting these man-eating monsters and simultaneously doing the local rural population a favor, the hunter has to keep a sharp look out for the hippos, another member of the Dangerous 7 and a popular choice for big game hunting in Africa. Hippos occupy the same territories as the crocodile and don’t place any value on human life. The hippo is exceptionally dangerous. One of the most dangerous situations in which a hunter can find himself, is positioned between a mother and her offspring. A bull hippo can weigh up to 8,800 pounds, with tusks reaching up to 1,5 feet in length.
The Nile crocodile can take a tremendous beating, and the hunter is not to consider him dead until he is skinned and in the salt. Even at this point the crocodile has been known to wiggle and snap his powerful jaws at any bystander unfortunate enough to be in reach. As my wife says, she does not trust a crocodile to be dead until the boots are ready for walking!
The Nile crocodile has excellent senses, from seeing and hearing to the ability to feel any vibrations in the ground by approaching animals, thus making it almost impossible to get within twenty yards. Most hunts are on a spot and stalk basis. Depending on the terrain, hunters will either walk and glass for bull crocodiles or use a dugout canoe for stealth. On lakes such as Cahora Basa in Mozambique, deep sea boats are used due to the size of the terrain and swell size.
During mating season, bull crocodiles tend to operate within a specific territory, and hunters often choose to bait the area and hunt from a temporary blind. Pack a good quality set of binoculars, as many hours are spent glassing the topography and waterways. Judging the size of the crocodile in the water can be very tricky considering the majority of the time only his snout is protruding from the water. Like in any dangerous game hunting situation, ensure your PH is suitably qualified with the necessary experience to differentiate between huntable bull crocodiles and breeding females.
Nile crocodiles are excellent hunting safari trophies, and the full crocodile mounts are spectacular.
African Crocodile Shot Placement
Outfitters and dangerous game PHs differ on placement of the first shot. Realistically, the hunter has to consider geographics, from whether the season is dry to how much water is around, including the depth of rivers and channels.
At the top of the list of a successful African crocodile hunt is always going to be:
- How do we ensure he drops on the spot;
- How are we going to recover an adult bull crocodile;
- If the first shot is not a kill shot and the crocodile is wounded, exactly what escape route could he possibly opt for, and what other options would the hunter have available.
Shot placement will also often depend on the hunter’s position to that of the crocodile. If the crocodile is wounded, he will definitely head straight into the water. Shots can be anywhere from 30 yards to 250 yards, depending on the hunter’s skill and the rifle’s accuracy.
The brain of a bull crocodile is roughly the size of a golf ball and surrounded by thick chunks of solid bone. From the frontal position, the best but riskiest shot would be directly between the eyes, however the target is on the small side. From the side, we have a few options. When attempting a direct brain shot, the hunter would accurately place the bullet “above the smile and behind the eye,” resulting in a two to three-inch target. The next option (which I prefer) is two to three inches behind the smile, which will sever and break the spinal cord.
The hunter must remember the need for a second and third well placed bullet. While the shot may be a perfect instant kill shot, the crocodile may spasm and roll back into a deep-water channel, making recovery challenging or impossible. With that in mind, always try to disable this predator as much as possible. No hunter wants to be in a position where after the perfect shot, they see the trophy vanish into the abyss and become unrecoverable.
Due to the required accuracy of the kill shot, the hunter must ensure that a good set of shooting sticks be available to provide a stable shooting platform. I prefer lightweight sticks made from high quality materials such as aluminum or carbon fiber with adjustable and swivel legs. Typically, you will shoot from a kneeling or sitting position.
African Crocodile Hunting Rifles, Calibers and Bullets
A great caliber when hunting crocodiles, knowing that shot placement is critical, is always a 30-caliber rifle with a minimum of 180 grain bullet, either using a solid or monolithic tip. To successfully penetrate the scull and rupture the brain, you need ballistics of at least 2800 feet per second and 3500 pounds of energy muzzle. Bone density needs consideration. A good quality scope is critical, and accurate grouping and consistency is essential, if you remember the size of our target area. Personally, I chose a 300 win mag with a 220 grain monolithic tip that certainly did the job. A .375 packs a punch with tremendous power and should also be considered for closer up and personal shots. In the hunter’s favor is knowing that with the Nile crocodile, once in a suitable position to take the shot there generally is time to confirm your target area and let your nerves settle a little.
Hunting Crocodile in Mozambique
Hunting the Nile crocodile in Mozambique was probably one of the best choices I ever made and is highly recommended!
Hunting these prehistoric apex predators takes the hunter to remote areas of Africa. Not only is the actual crocodile hunt rewarding, but taking in the African sunsets, bushveld and rivers is perfect for the soul. Only once you are on your game hunting safari, hunting dangerous game in Africa, up close and personal with a Nile crocodile, can you truly examine the predator and realize what a perfectly designed killing machine it is.
If hunting crocodiles in Africa sound like something you would like to add to your bucket list, contact our team to arrange a hunt for you!