Nile crocodiles have a dark bronze colouration above, with black spots on the back and a dirty yellow on the belly. The flanks, which are yellowish green in colour, have dark patches arranged in oblique stripes. There is some variation relative to environment; specimens from swift flowing waters tend to be lighter in colour than those dwelling in lakes or swamps.
The Nile crocodile is the largest crocodilian in Africa and is sometimes regarded as the second largest crocodilian after the Saltwater crocodile, usually measuring between 3.3 and 5 m, but can grow to 6 m. Good sized males weigh 500 kg, but can also reach up to 909 kg. The largest accurately measured male was shot near Mwanza, Tanzania and measured 6.45 m and weighed aproximately 1,090 kg.
