A large and powerful reptile native to the Indian subcontinent, including India, Sri Lanka, Nepal, Pakistan, and parts of Iran. Unlike some of its more aggressive cousins, the mugger is generally more reserved and spends much of its time lounging near rivers, lakes, ponds, and marshes — which is how it got the name “marsh crocodile.” It prefers freshwater habitats but can tolerate brackish water too, making it a flexible survivor in both wild and human-altered landscapes.

This crocodile is known for its broad, rounded snout, which distinguishes it from the slender-snouted gharial and the more pointed-snouted saltwater crocodile. Their skin is rough and grayish-brown, perfectly camouflaged for murky waters and muddy riverbanks. With strong jaws, sharp teeth, and muscular tails, they are excellent swimmers and ambush predators — quietly waiting in the water before lunging at prey with lightning speed.

Mugger crocodiles are opportunistic feeders, eating a variety of animals including fish, birds, reptiles, and mammals. They’ll even scavenge when needed. While they’re solitary hunters, they are also known to bask in groups, especially during the cooler months. During the dry season, they dig burrows in the mud or sand to escape the heat — some burrows can be several meters long and help the crocodiles stay cool and moist during extreme temperatures.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Bangladesh

2009

Possibly Extinct

Bhutan

Official estimate

EX

Extinct in 1960s

India

2009

Iran

2009

Myanmar

Official estimate

EX

Extinct locally

Nepal

2009

Pakistan

2009

Sri Lanka

2009