Category Zoology

Animals of all kinds were important to the Ancient Egyptians. The Egyptians both respected and feared the power of the crocodile as they were a real danger to them. The Nile, which was full of crocodiles, was important to the livelihood of the Egyptians. It therefore made good sense to have a God which could appease these ferocious beasts… and that God was Sobek.

Sobek was worshipped in order to appease the crocodiles, and to insure the fertility of their people and crops. Sobek possessed the strength and nature of a crocodile, and was a symbol of the Pharaoh’s power. He was also considered the God who controlled the water – in this case, the Nile… and therefore both the crocodile god and crocodiles themselves were revered by the Egyptians.

         Alligators and crocodiles have ferocious looking jaws that they can snap shut with tremendous force. However, the muscles for opening the mouth are quite weak. In fact, you can keep a crocodile’s mouth shut by just snapping an elastic band around it! Amazing, isn’t it?

The temple of Kom Ombo dates back to the days of Ancient Egypt. It stands on the east bank of the Nile, right next to the river and was dedicated to two gods, Horus and Sobek, the Crocodile God. This temple became the centre for crocodile worship in Ancient Egypt. Crocodiles were kept in ponds and fed lavishly. They were even adorned with Jewels. Some of the crocodiles became quite tame, and the priests would feed them by hand, offering them meat, cakes, bread and honey. When they died, their bodies were embalmed and mummified and tourists who visit the temple today can see piles and piles of crocodile mummies! 

The skin of crocodiles is truly awesome. It is made of tough leathery scales, some of which are joined at the edges with more elastic skin. The skin on the head is fused directly on to the skull, while at the back of the neck; it forms a shield of large ridged projections. Embedded into the scales are horny plates like structures called scules that in effect act like tough armour. This armour is one of the reasons why it is very difficult to kill an adult crocodile. Unfortunately, the scales on the lower or belly surface are unarmoured- making the belly the most vulnerable part of the crocodile.

Unfortunately for the crocodile, its skin has long been recognized internationally for its durability and beauty, and is greatly in demand for making belts, bags, shoes and other products. Did you know that in Ancient Egypt, crocodiles were regarded as sacred and divine, and priests often wore robes made entirely of crocodile skin?

 Deinosuchus was one of the largest prehistoric crocodiles that ever lived, attaining lengths of about 10.5 metres and weighing around 4500 to 9000 kilogrammes. Ancient crocodiles were constantly growing…in the case of Deinosuchus, at the rate of about thirty centimetres per year. So, it’s hard to know exactly how long the longest-lived specimens were. 

Crocodiles are cold blooded. This means they get the warmth that their body needs from the environment. They cannot generate body heat by shivering, or cool off by sweating. So, how do they get the heat they need?

The main method that crocodiles get the warmth necessary for their bodies is by basking in the sun. As their bodies warm up, they open their mouths to cool off by evaporative cooling. The membranes in their mouths play a major role in regulating their body temperature. If the temperature continues to rise, some species will seek the shade, or return to the water to cool off. They also love to wallow in the mud, and these mud baths provide a means to regulate the body temperature too.

Crocodiles also regulate the amount of heat that they receive by placing just the tip of their nose or one leg in the sun. Another method is to remain partly submerged while basking in the sunlight. When the temperature drops, crocodiles become more lethargic. If there is a cold spell, the animal will completely submerge itself in deeper water where the temperature is warmer, and breathe through holes in the ice.