Crocodiles are apex predators and hunters of river systems of India. Crocodiles are large semiaquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics of Africa, Asia, Australia, and America. In India, you can find three species of crocodiles named Mugger Crocodile, the Gharial, and the Saltwater Crocodile. You can spot Mugger Crocodile & Gharial throughout the Indian Subcontinent preying on fish, birds, and other reptiles.
So let us find out the places where we can spot crocodiles in India.
Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary & National Park, Tamil Nadu
Also known as Anamalai Tiger Reserve, this National Park & Wildlife Sanctuary is especially popular for the large population of mugger crocodiles. The Sanctuary has Amaravathi Dam across the Amaravathi River and the reservoir is notable for the crocodiles.
Mugger crocodiles are also found in freshwater lakes in Ranthambore National Park and other man-made dam reservoirs of India.
National Chambal Sanctuary, Madhya Pradesh
National Chambal Sanctuary is also known as National Chambal Gharial Wildlife Sanctuary is located on the Chambal River houses the largest population of Gharial in India along with endangered Ganges river dolphin and red-crowned roof turtle. The Gharial or Fish-eating crocodiles is the longest of all living crocodiles, found only in the northern part of the Indian Subcontinent.
Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh
Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Bahraich district is home to endangered species of Gharials. The sanctuary is one of the best places in India for seeing the Gharial Crocodiles in their natural habitat and surroundings. Majorly the Gharial is found in river systems of India such as the Ganges, Chambal, Mahanadi, and Son River.
Bhitarkanika National Park, Odisha
Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha is located in the Kendrapara district of Odisha is a separate swamp region and mangrove forest. Saltwater Crocodiles are the largest of all the living reptiles in the world. The park is home to the largest Saltwater Crocodiles in India and many other species of reptiles such as White Crocodile, Indian Python, and King Cobra.
Sundarban National Park, West Bengal
Saltwater Crocodiles being apex predators are found in saline and brackish mangrove swamp forest of Sundarbans on the Ganges Delta. The mangrove forest houses a large population of reptiles including water monitor lizards and saltwater crocodiles.
Wrapping up, these were the places where you can spot crocodiles in India in their natural habitat. But other than the above five spots you can also spot them around Vishwamitri River near Vadodra and Madras Crocodile Bank. Madras Crocodile Bank is the first crocodile breeding center in India and is responsible for saving three endangered species of crocodiles and Vishwamitri Rives stretches over 25 km houses around 450 mugger crocodiles in todays\’ time. ac
