CROCODILES 69 



delights to warm its chilly blood under the full blaze of 

 the midday sun. Within its range it exists in practically 

 every large stream, and in nearly every tributary and 

 lake. Sometimes large individuals lie at the bottom of the 

 most insignificant pools, wholly or partially buried in 

 mud, and in such cases their presence would be betrayed 

 only by the spoor on the margin. 



The size which crocodiles are ultimately capable of 

 attaining is uncertain. During the first three or four 

 years the rate of growth is fast, perhaps more than a foot 

 a year. As the animal gets older it grows more and more 

 slowly ; but when, if ever, it entirely ceases to increase 

 in length and bulk is quite unknown. That they live to 

 a very great age is probable. In most carnivorous 

 animals a limit is put to pursuit of prey, and hence to 

 life itself, by the wearing down of teeth and claws, which 

 occurs long before the failure of bodily strength has 

 rendered the individual unable to earn its livelihood. 

 With the crocodile it is otherwise. Each of his for- 

 midable pointed teeth is merely a shell, and under it, 

 when removed, will be found a new tooth, growing up 

 to replace the old one when discarded. There seems no 

 limit to this replacement of teeth ; possibly it ceases only 

 when the vital forces have weakened from extreme old 

 age. Where a creature so sluggish and low-graded is 

 concerned, these forces are subject to much less wear and 

 tear than among warm-blooded animals, and therefore 

 the period of bodily activity may be much more pro- 

 longed. Still, the size attained by crocodiles is no doubt 

 often exaggerated, and measurements form the only true 

 tests. 



An enormous brute which used to haunt a certain pool 

 in the Sabi was stated to be as bulky as a hippo, and, from 

 one or two glimpses I got of him, I judged him to be not less 



