Today's topic, a subject close to my heart, Crocodiles.

 

 Nile Crocodile by *Freeport on deviantART

Although these creatures are no longer found in Egypt they were well spread during ancient times. Sobek one of the Egyptian gods was a crocodile and places where they were kept or worshipped crocodiles were often mummified.
 

By Alensha (Own work) (www.creativecommons.org/licenses/by (www.gnu.org/copyleft/fdl.html)], via Wikimedia Commons

 

Hathor and Sobek by Riley and Amos, on Flickr

The Nile Crocodile is found throughout most of  Africa and until Dams at Aswan were built in Egypt were found there as well. It is the second largest crocodile after the Saltwater crocodile which is found in Northern Australia, a very old mature one growing up to 6 metres and can weigh up to 730kg. The diet of a Nile Crocodile usually consists of fish but it will attack anything unfortunate to cross it's path including Zebra, birds and other crocodiles.

These crocodiles were almost hunted extinction between the 1940's and 1960's, since then international protection has helped them to recover in most areas. In other areas however things such as pollution, hunting and habitat loss have caused a huge reduction in numbers.