Mugger Crocodile (Crocodylus palustris): Facts, Size, Habitat & Where to See in India
Quick Answer
The mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) is a reptile listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN. Broad, heavy snout — the widest of any living crocodile — and armoured olive-grey body. Typical weight: large males up to about 450 kg. IUCN Vulnerable and on CITES Appendix I.. In Central India it lives in both Tadoba and Pench; the best time to see it is sunny winter afternoons on the banks of Tadoba Lake and the Pench reservoir.
- Scientific name
- Crocodylus palustris
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable
- Weight
- Large males up to about 450 kg
- Local name
- Magar (Marathi and Hindi), Marsh crocodile
Highlights
- Broad, heavy snout — the widest of any living crocodile — and armoured olive-grey body.
- Fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, varying with age and opportunity.
- IUCN Vulnerable and on CITES Appendix I.
- Best time to see: Sunny winter afternoons on the banks of Tadoba Lake and the Pench reservoir.
Mugger Crocodile Quick Facts
Key figures for the mugger crocodile. Ranges vary between sources and regions; these are commonly cited values.
| Fact | Mugger Crocodile |
|---|---|
| Scientific name | Crocodylus palustris |
| Family | Reptile · Crocodylidae |
| Local names | Magar (Marathi and Hindi), Marsh crocodile |
| Size | Usually 2–3.5 m; large males reach 4–4.5 m |
| Weight | Large males up to about 450 kg |
| Breeding | A hole-nester: 25–30 eggs laid in the dry season, incubated 55–75 days, with hatchling sex set by nest temperature. |
| Diet | Fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, varying with age and opportunity. |
| IUCN status | Vulnerable |
| Population | IUCN Vulnerable and on CITES Appendix I. |
How to Identify a Mugger Crocodile
Broad, heavy snout — the widest of any living crocodile — and armoured olive-grey body.
Combine shape, markings, movement and habitat rather than relying on size impressions alone, especially in poor light.
Mugger Crocodile Habitat
Freshwater lakes, rivers, reservoirs and slow-moving wetlands.
What Does the Mugger Crocodile Eat?
Fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, varying with age and opportunity.
Diet shifts with season, age and what is locally available, linking the species to vegetation, prey, predators and scavengers.
Mugger Crocodile Behaviour and Breeding
Basks to regulate body temperature and uses water-edge habitat for feeding and nesting.
A hole-nester: 25–30 eggs laid in the dry season, incubated 55–75 days, with hatchling sex set by nest temperature.
Mugger Crocodile in Tadoba
Tadoba’s long crocodile history includes a breeding centre that operated from 1977 to 1996, according to the core management plan.
Occurrence does not guarantee a sighting. Habitat, season, activity pattern and route all affect your chances.
Mugger Crocodile in Pench
The Pench River and Totladoh reservoir form important aquatic habitat, though site-specific occurrence should be checked against reserve fauna lists.
Pench MP and Pench Maharashtra are administered separately but form one connected landscape.
Best Time to See the Mugger Crocodile
Sunny winter afternoons on the banks of Tadoba Lake and the Pench reservoir.
Morning drives are generally the most active. Book permits early for March–June, when demand peaks.
Mugger Crocodile Population and Conservation
IUCN Vulnerable and on CITES Appendix I.
Wetland alteration, fishing interactions, disturbance and entanglement affect crocodilians.
Watching Responsibly
Keep the required distance, stay in the vehicle, and never feed, call, spotlight or pursue wildlife. Follow your guide at all times.
Do not share precise locations of dens, nests or cubs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How big is a mugger crocodile?
Usually 2–3.5 m; large males reach 4–4.5 m. Large males up to about 450 kg.
Is the mugger crocodile endangered?
The IUCN lists it as Vulnerable. IUCN Vulnerable and on CITES Appendix I.
What does the mugger crocodile eat?
Fish, reptiles, birds and mammals, varying with age and opportunity.
Where can I see the mugger crocodile in India?
In Central Indian tiger reserves including Tadoba-Andhari and Pench. Sunny winter afternoons on the banks of Tadoba Lake and the Pench reservoir.
What is the mugger crocodile called locally?
Magar (Marathi and Hindi), Marsh crocodile
Continue Exploring
30,000+
Travellers have explored the wild with us across India.
4.9 / 5
Rated across TripAdvisor and Google reviews.
Naturalist-led
Safaris planned around official gates, seasons and permits.
24/7 on-trip help
We are reachable before, during and after your trip.
Sources & References
Facts on wildlife and visitor access can change. These are the principal references for this page; always confirm current permits and rules with the responsible forest department.
Photo Credits
Photos without a credit below are by Wild Excursions. The rest come from Wikimedia Commons under the licences shown.
- Mugger crocodile basking at a water edge in Satpura National Park — Bernard Gagnon, CC BY 4.0
- Close view of a mugger crocodile’s head and teeth — Charles J. Sharp, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Tadoba lake framed by overhanging trees, home to mugger crocodiles — SushG, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Wide view of the largest lake in Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve under a clear sky — Aashay25, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Three painted storks standing on the shore of a Tadoba lake — Eeshan Sonak, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Red-earth safari track running through a tunnel of bamboo in Tadoba — Rohit Sharma, CC BY-SA 4.0
See the mugger crocodile in the wild
Our naturalist-led safaris in Tadoba and Pench give you the best chance. Share your dates and we will plan the right zones, season and stay.
Explore More
Wildlife Encyclopedia