As the temperature rises, the pressure mounts on the pharaoh. But one of the Nile's creatures actually welcomes the pitiless heat. Crocodiles crave the heat of the sun to maintain their own body temperature. This brutal season presents little challenge to them. The river is becoming a very dangerous place to be. There is a stench of death. A hippo carcass draws crocodiles from miles around. Some are over four metres long. Even for crocodiles it's not easy to bite through the thick hide, but they've developed a unique way of feeding. Spinning enables them to twist off chunks of flesh. They can demolish anything. The ability of crocodiles to thrive while others suffer inspires awe in the Egyptians. They are honoured in special temples, worshipped as the god Sobek. While they are alive they are pampered. When they die, they are embalmed and buried in sacred tombs.


随着气温日渐升高，法老的压力越来越大。但尼罗河中的某种生物却很欢迎严酷的暑气。鳄鱼会涉取太阳的光热来保持它们自己的体温，严苛的季节对它们来说一点也不是问题。大河现在已经成为非常危险的去处。尸臭四处飘散。河马尸骸引来方圆几英里内的鳄鱼群，它们中有些身长超过四米。即使是鳄鱼这样的尖牙利齿要咬穿河马的厚皮也不容易，但它们已经演进出了独特的进食技巧。它们翻转身体，把尸块扭断下来，什么都吃光光。万物饱受折磨，鳄鱼却繁盛壮大，这使埃及人对它们敬畏有加。它们在专属的尊荣神庙中作为索贝克的化身受到崇拜。它们活着的时候备受宠爱，死去之后尸体会被进行防腐处理，埋在圣墓中。