Background of the Nile River
The Nile River is 4,132 miles long with a river basin that covers approximately 1.29 million square miles or 10% of the continent of Africa. The basin is divided into seven main regions, and it lies in countries like Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda, to name a few. The main streams that combine to create the Nile River are the Blue Nile, the Atbara, and the White Nile. The word Nile comes from the Greek word “Neilos,” which translates to “river valley.” Ancient Egyptians referred to the Nile River as “Ar” and “Aur,” meaning “black.” Egyptians called the river “black” because it picked up black-colored sedimentation during flood season. Living along the Nile River, ancient groups learned how to plow and farm the land. Easily available water from the Nile River and fertile riverbanks made agriculture popular in the region. Besides agriculture, though, the Nile River is used for transportation of people and goods. Precipitation varies across the Nile River region. For instance, northern areas within the Nile Basin will receive less rainfall than southern portions during the winter months. As a result, plant species differ according to the region. Around the Nile River, habitats like tropical rainforests, grasslands, and savannas can be found. The Nile River is rich in animal biodiversity and especially rich in diverse fish species. For example, a person might encounter catfish, tigerfish, and elephant-snout fish in the Nile. Most frighteningly, though, is the Nile crocodile. The Nile crocodile resides throughout most of the river’s area, but it has yet to venture to the lakes within the upper portion of the basin. The electric eel puts out 600 volts of electrifying power when threatened. The eel can decide to enact a quick shock to its prey, lasting only a second, or it can create electricity for minutes. The electric eel’s choice prey includes fish, invertebrates, and mammals of small size. Unfortunately, there have been some human run-ins with electric eels, which haven’t produced the best results. In fact, electric eels can still shock someone up to eight hours after it dies. The poison dart frog is a small, colorfully patterned amphibian. While poison dart frogs may look appealing, they are highly deadly. Unlike pit vipers, poison darts frogs won’t bite or spit out their venom. Instead, their poison secretes through their skin, and this potent poison can kill within just a few minutes. One species, the golden poison dart frog, can kill a maximum of 10 people despite its petite frame.
Nile River Dangers
A host of venomous and terrifying animals reside throughout the Nile River. Approximately 30 species of snakes slither around the Nile, and a sizeable number of them are poisonous. For instance, the black mamba’s venom can kill someone in less than a half hour. Black mamba’s are quick, too, as they are able to move up to 12 miles per hour. They are prone to attacking more than once, ensuring that their victim receives enough venom to be debilitated. The Egyptian cobra is another prominent snake that resides near the Nile River. This snake species has venom so powerful that it can kill an elephant! Their poison can paralyze the body so deep that a victim will be unable to breathe. The Egyptian cobra has gained historical recognition, too. Some have speculated that Cleopatra used the Egyptian cobra to aid in her suicide. The African rock python is an aggressive snake that can measure up to 20 feet in length. Like the green anaconda, the African rock python constricts, suffocates, and swallows whole their prey. They have attacked humans in the past. Even more shocking, they can eat whole crocodiles. The Nile crocodile is both gigantic and hostile. They camouflage themselves, blending in with plants on the water’s surface, or they lurk underwater to avoid being seen by prey. When ready to attack, the Nile crocodile’s powerful bite grabs its prey and pulls it underneath the water. Many people have been attacked and killed by crocodiles, making them one of the most fearsome Nile dwellers. The hippopotamus is a massive animal that eats up to 80 pounds of grass per day. Hippos have a dominating presence that makes other predators like lions and crocodiles avoid them at all costs. Due to their high level of aggression, hippos have attacked not only humans but also boats. Typically, though, a hippo won’t attack humans unless they feel that their children are being threatened. While mosquitos might be nothing but a pesky presence in other areas of the world, they spread debilitating disease near the Nile River. The West Nile virus and malaria have caused over a million fatalities annually. Some have estimated that mosquitos are the most dangerous animal in the Nile region.
Which River is More Dangerous?
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The Nile crocodile and the mosquito tie for the most dangerous animals near the Nile River.
