Pets
Crocodiles Temerature Dependent Sex Determination – Londolozi Blog
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Having the Sand River flow through the heart of Londolozi is our biggest contributor to the diversity of wildlife we see here. This pristine body of water is the home to many different animals, ranging from catfish to hippos. One reptile in particular thrives in these waters, the Nile Crocodile.
As we enter into our winter months, the dry season at Londolozi, crocodiles around Londolozi will start gearing up for their mating season. The male crocodiles will begin their courtship behaviour and look to establish dominance over each other. What follows once dominance is established is something quite remarkable.
Breeding strategy:
Crocodiles are renowned for their breeding rituals, which unfold with remarkable precision year after year. When the Sand River recedes, revealing the sandy shores it presents a perfect time to begin nesting. But before the females fall pregnant, the males will go through a process of gaining dominance over each other, where they bellow, blow bubbles and fight to get the upper hand on their rivals.
Mating will commence in the water and once impregnated females will search for a suitable sight to lay their eggs. Females meticulously construct nests by digging holes in the sand, where they deposit their clutch of eggs, often depositing around 50 eggs or so. These excavated nests serve as incubators for the eggs, safeguarding the precious cargo from predators and other environmental threats.
Temperature-dependent Sex Determination:
For me, one of the most remarkable aspects of Nile Crocodile reproduction is the temperature-dependent sex determination exhibited by their eggs. Unlike mammals, whose offspring’s sex is determined by genetic factors, the sex of crocodiles is influenced by the temperature of the nesting environment. Once the female has found an adequate spot to dig and lay her eggs, the female guards the nest site vigilantly, protecting it from potential threats such as predators and disturbances.
The incubation period for Nile Crocodile eggs is relatively long, typically lasting around 80 to 90 days. During this time, the female may occasionally excavate the nest to check on the eggs and adjust their position to ensure proper incubation conditions. Warmer temperatures often between 31-34 degrees Celsius tend to produce male hatchlings, while cooler temperatures around 26-30 degrees Celsius result in females. This phenomenon is known as temperature-dependent sex determination. Underscores the critical role of environmental factors in shaping the reproductive outcomes of these ancient reptiles.
A small Crocodile we found late one evening.
From their impressive courtship displays that I have only had the privilege of seeing a few times, to an extremely unique and wonderful sex determination of their eggs, there is a lot more than meets the eye when viewing these large reptiles. We are just at the beginning of the courtship stages so we will definitely be on the lookout for bubbles being blown and listening out for bellowing while in and around the Sand River!
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Patrick Grealy
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