Atypical predation by Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) on Spotted Deer (Axis axis)

Abstract

Figure 2. A Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus plaustris) along the Mallehalli Range Forest section of the Cauvery River (left) and a freshly killed Spotted Deer (Axis axis) that had both hindlimbs torn off (right). Photographs by Vinay N.S.

Cannibalism by a Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) in the Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, Uttar Pradesh, India

“…It is a highly adaptive species found in various habitats that include rivers, lakes, marshes, manmade ponds, and canals (Whitaker and Whitaker 1984;Choudhury and de Silva 2013). Muggers feed on a variety of prey (Santiapillai and de Silva 2001;Bhatnagar and Mahur 2010;Choudhury and de Silva 2013), hatchlings and juveniles most frequently on small fishes, crustaceans, and insects, whereas prey of adults includes mammals, birds, larger fishes, and turtles (Bhatnagar and Mahur 2010;Gour 2023;Nishan et al 2023). Cannibalism is common among crocodilians and has been reported in the wild (e.g., Caiman crocodilus, Staton and Dixon 1975;Crocodylus acutus, Richard and Wasilewski 2003;Alligator mississippiensis, Delany et al 2011;C.…”