CrocodilesCrocodiles

HabitatHabitat

Crocodiles live in various fresh water areas Crocodiles live in various fresh water areas such as lagoons, rivers, billabongs, and such as lagoons, rivers, billabongs, and swamps. swamps.

Some types of crocodiles can also live in salt Some types of crocodiles can also live in salt water.water.

DietDiet

This creature eats small rodents, insects, This creature eats small rodents, insects, small invertebrates, fish, amphibians, small invertebrates, fish, amphibians, mammals, and birds. mammals, and birds.

Large individuals may consume Large individuals may consume terrestrial prey, such as deer.terrestrial prey, such as deer.

Look at those teeth!Look at those teeth!

DescriptionDescription

Crocodiles have elongated, armored, lizard-like Crocodiles have elongated, armored, lizard-like bodies with muscular flat tail.bodies with muscular flat tail.

Like alligators, the skin on the back of a Like alligators, the skin on the back of a crocodile is armored with embedded bony crocodile is armored with embedded bony plates.plates.

They have a long snout with nostrils at the end They have a long snout with nostrils at the end to allow breathing while most of body is under to allow breathing while most of body is under water.water.

Adult sizes range from 7.5 feet for caimans to Adult sizes range from 7.5 feet for caimans to around 13 feet for crocodiles.around 13 feet for crocodiles.

Crocodile BabiesCrocodile Babies

Crocodiles lay their eggs on landCrocodiles lay their eggs on land Like alligators, egg incubation Like alligators, egg incubation

temperature determines sex of embryos temperature determines sex of embryos

A baby crocodile

Interesting Croc FactsInteresting Croc Facts

A bony ridge between eyes resembles A bony ridge between eyes resembles bridge of eyeglasses bridge of eyeglasses

A crocodile can not stick out its tongueA crocodile can not stick out its tongue Crocodiles have outlived the dinosaurs Crocodiles have outlived the dinosaurs

by 65 million yearsby 65 million years There are 23 different species about There are 23 different species about

crocodilescrocodiles

Distinguishing Alligators Distinguishing Alligators from Crocodiles from Crocodiles

You can tell the difference between a crocodile You can tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator by looking at their noses: and an alligator by looking at their noses: Alligators have a wide, U-shaped snout, whereas Alligators have a wide, U-shaped snout, whereas Crocs have longer, more V-shaped noses. Crocs have longer, more V-shaped noses.

Also, the large fourth tooth in the lower jaw of Also, the large fourth tooth in the lower jaw of an alligator fits into a socket in the upper jaw an alligator fits into a socket in the upper jaw and is not visible when the mouth is closed. and is not visible when the mouth is closed. This does not happen in crocodiles. This does not happen in crocodiles.

A CrocodileA CrocodileAn AlligatorAn Alligator