Possible Clues:

• Nile biter, for short
• African beast; sounds like piece of pot
• Dangerous reptile — one in a decrepit state, say
• Diminutive predator taking endless pot
• Large predatory reptile (colloq.)
• Cold-blooded killer, for short
• Riverbank predator
• Perhaps The Snapper shortly opens contentious recording of childbirth
• Dangerous beast, almost a cripple
• Fla. reptile