Vol. 7, Issue 2, Part B (2025)

This study has recorded observations on maintenance behaviour pertaining to basking and use of tunnels by Mugger crocodiles Crocodylus palustris and also the role of tunnels in predator-prey interaction of Bhor-Saidan Crocodile Sanctuary, located in the Kurukshetra district of state Haryana. The Mugger crocodile moves between land and water, driven by its circadian rhythm, primarily to regulate its body temperature. It was observed using a mix of heat-seeking and heat-avoiding behaviors, which include immersing itself in water, basking, and retreating to tunnels. When emerging from the water to bask on land, the Mugger adopts intermediate postures such as pre-basking, surface basking, and shallow water basking, with the amount of time spent in each posture varying with the seasons. Additionally, the Mugger was seen digging separate tunnels along riverbanks for resting and nesting. The study also documents interactions between the Mugger and both conspecifics and other species sharing its habitat. The research highlights the importance of understanding crocodile behavior to gain insights into their species-specific natural history and inform conservation management efforts.