The Nile crocodile can grow more than 5 metres long and weigh well over 500 kilograms. It has sharp teeth, a muscular, armoured body, and its mud-brown colour helps it blend seamlessly into its surroundings. All this makes it one of Africa's largest and most potent predators.
Yet, like almost every animal on the planet, this huge crocodilian has a gentle, caring side – and you don't need to look any further than its parenting for evidence of this.
After their eggs have been laid, usually on a sandy riverbank, Nile crocodile parents diligently guard their incubating babies for around three months, after which they're ready to hatch. Sometimes the adult crocodiles help their young break free by carefully putting pressure on the eggs with their mouths.
For the next few weeks, months or even years, the female will stay close to her offspring, often transporting them inside her mouth to keep them safe.
This video, captured by a hidden camera, offers an intimate view of life inside the nest of a Nile crocodile.
Top image: Nile crocodile digging out nest. Credit: Getty
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