Crocodile eating Nile people appear in America

The Nile crocodiles are famous for killing hundreds of people every year in Africa, possibly becoming a worrying invasive species in Florida, USA.

According to Grind TV, through DNA testing, the researchers confirmed three animals caught near Miami in 2009, 2011 and 2014 as Nile crocodiles and they suspect this African-origin crocodile is still also hiding in nature in America.

Cannibal Nile crocodiles may be living in Florida, USA.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons).

Kenneth Krysko, manager of the reptile collection at the University of Florida's Museum of Natural History, said the Nile crocodile has relatives with native crocodile populations in South Africa. According to researchers, they can survive and thrive in Florida.

"We know the Nile crocodile can live in the wilderness of Florida for many years. We know they grow quickly here and know their behavior in nature. There is no reason to show that their properties will change in Florida, "Krysko said. "They can't swim here from Africa. But we really don't know how they appear here."

Three Nile crocodiles have genetically similar characteristics, showing that they have relatives. But their DNA does not match any Nile crocodile that resides in American zoos. Therefore, the Nile crocodile is likely to be brought to Florida illegally by a non-licensed reptile collector. This person can leave alligators during captivity or deliberately drop them into the wild.

The Nile crocodile kills hundreds of people every year in Africa.(Photo: Wikimedia Commons).

Researchers are convinced that there are still many Nile crocodiles hiding in the Everglades National Park in Florida, which once discovered an individual. However, Allyson Gantt, the Everglades spokesman, insisted there was no Nile crocodile wandering in the park.

According to CBS Miami, if the Nile crocodile lives in the Everglades, they will pose a threat to the local ecosystem, and endanger humans and cattle near the park.

In sub-Saharan Africa, a study indicates 63% of the 275-745 annual attacks of the Nile crocodile are deadly. In 30 annual attacks by saltwater crocodiles, only 50% of victims died.

The average size of the Nile crocodile is 3.7-4.9m and weighing between 136 and 725kg. However, researchers have found crocodiles longer than 6m and weigh more than 732kg. Although the spawning speed of the Nile crocodile is not fast, a pair of male and adult crocodiles can produce a population.