A water monster is found in the fresh water reservoirs of the Indian Sub Continent which is called as Mugger Crocodile or Marsh Crocodile. Mugger Crocodiles are larger species in the Crocodylidae family having the average length of 13-14 feet. They can obtain the maximum length of 17-18 feet in rare cases. Biologically, Mugger Crocodile is known as Crocodylus palustris and they are found in Pakistan, India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Southern Iran.

A Mugger Crocodile or Marsh Crocodile ( Image : By Xavier Bayod )

Mugger Crocodiles are big carnivorous reptiles and their population is found basically in freshwater, including marshes, ponds, lakes, irrigation canals, and reservoirs and a very small proportion of their population also lives in the saltwater lagoons. Mugger Crocodiles are generally very slow movers on the ground but they are very agile swimmers. The body of the Mugger Crocodile has a fair protection of a thick and scaly skin and the neck is also covered by sharp scutes.

A Mugger Crocodile under water ( Image : Pandiyan V )

The male Mugger Crocodile has the larger body than its female and they can live for forty years. They can travel for miles in search of fresh water bodies in case of their habitat destruction. They are normally very social reptile and communicate with a wide variety of vocalizations. Mugger Crocodiles can easily live with other crocodilian species, especially the Gharial.

The Male Mugger Crocodile reaches sexual maturity at the age of ten years and normally they are more than 2.5 meters in this period. Similarly the female Mugger crocodile reaches sexual maturity when she’s about 1.7-2.0 m (5.6-6.5 ft) long, something which usually happens when she’s roughly 6 years of age. The female Mugger Crocodile deposits 25-30 eggs on average and hatches them for 60-75 days.The juveniles of the Mugger Crocodile are approximately 30 cm in length.

The larger the Mugger Crocodile will, it will feed itself with the bigger prey. A fairly large Mugger Crocodile can prey on 200+kg sambar deer and 450+ kg domestic water buffalo and compete directly with the tiger over kills. Normally, Mugger Crocodile, the water monster eats small mammals, frogs, fish , monkeys and other smaller reptiles etc. Presently, the population of the  Mugger crocodile is threatened from their habitat destruction and the illegal hunting for the skin trade and alternative medicine market. Some people are also involved for stealing their eggs collection. Sometimes it is also observed that the Mugger Crocodiles are being stuck in the fishnets while fish stealing and get drowned. With the remaining population of less than 10,000 individuals, Mugger Crocodile is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

This beautifully spotted big cat was once found in a large number in the American continent. But today their population is under critical threat due to extreme hunting, habitat destruction and poaching and thus it has become one of the rarest animals on the planet earth. We are telling you about the splendid Jaguar , the rare big cat which loves to live in the tropical woodlands although they can also dwell in the dry forests and grasslands.

A thirsty Jaguar on a nearby water body

Presently the population of Jaguar in the United States specially in the states of Arizona, California , Louisiana , Mexico , New Mexico and Texas are listed endangered by the IUCN , the World Conservation. Sometimes Jaguars are also confused with Leopards but they can be recognized by their fur in tan and black colored rings and dots and some of the jaguars are also found in complete black coat. The tails of the jaguars can be increased up to 30 inches while the adult jaguar can weigh up to 200 lb to 260 lb. One of the distinguished quality of the Jaguars is that they are very good swimmers and they like to eat fish, reptiles and amphibians. On the land the diet of the jaguars includes deer and other small mammals.

Black Jaguar : Wild photo © Sikaris

Like other big cats, in the breading season, the female jaguar attracts her male by advertising the typical urinary smell and roars in a special vocalization. After the sexual mating the pair becomes apart from each other and the female jaguar may give birth to 1 to 4 cubs in one time. Color morphism is also common in the reproduction of jaguars.  The black and melanistic form of jaguar appears regularly with a ratio of 6 % from newly born cubs. Jaguars with melanism emerge entirely black, but with a keen observation their spots can be examined.

The Jaguars are critically in danger as they are mainly hunted in order to obtain their precious coat. The other main factors causing the increasing decline in the population of Jaguar , the rare big cat is deforestation and habitat loss. The natural disasters like hurricanes are also extremely dangerous for the population of Jaguars. Today numerous conservation plans are being implemented in order to safeguard jaguars from elimination. As Jaguars are also listed in the umbrella species , it is the most important to protect their habitat range because the salvation of their area will automatically ensure the conservation of many other species.