How Different Is Saltwater Crocodile From The Others

Australia has two types of crocodiles, the freshwater crocodile, which mainly eats fish, and is not considered a danger to man, and the saltwater crocodile, a true meat eater. Crocodiles are true dinasaurs, and have changed little in the evolutionary stakes over millions of years.

The Saltwater Crocodile, or 'Salty' as Australians refer to it, is found as far down as Broome on the western coastline, and Rockhampton on the eastern coastline. It inhabits the surrounding islands off the coastline also, and has been known to swim as far as 1,000 klms (620 miles) by sea to reach its destination.

In times of extreme drought, it has also been known to travel across land many klms to find a safe waterhole to ensure its survival. Although it prefers salt water, it can survive quite readily in fresh water. Its diet consists of fish and small mamals and birds, which venture too close or unwittingly near the waters edge. The Salty spends most of its time sleeping, and in summer avoids the hot sun, hunting mostly during the cooler hours of the day.

When hunting for food, the usual procedure is to expose only its eyes and nostrils above the waterline until prey is spotted, then sinking without a ripple, swims effortlessly underwater and attacks its prey from underneath the water, lunging upwards. Or moving with amazing agility and speed, will spring from the water and up onto the bank. Razor sharp teeth, and astounding jaw pressure ensures a firm grip on its prey, the salty then drags its hapless victim into the water and procedes to go into the 'death roll', rolling over and over and in the case of larger prey, such as buffalo or cattle, dragging its prey underwater where it consequently drowns.

In order to eat its food, it is impossible for the Salty to eat underwater, and food must be consumed on top of the water. A careful examination of the above photograph, you will notice a flap of skin at the back of the throat, this acts as a safety valve, closing whilst the mouth is open under water. This prevents it from drowning.

Saltwater Crocodiles have been recorded as big as 7 metres in length (23 feet). Although the most common length of a fully grown male crocodile would average 5 to 6 metres (18 to 20 feet).

It is impossible to judge accurately the age of a croc, unless a bone sample is obtained. Their bones have 'growth rings' much the same as trees. Salties mature sexually at around 16 years of age for males and 12 to 14 years of age for females.

The Basic Knowledge About Rare African Dwarf Crocodile

Deep in the swampy forests of West Africa, lies the dwarf crocodile, a miniature version of their large crocodile relatives. The crocodiles are so tiny they are not hunted for their skin, but for food. This has resulted in fewer of them remaining in their natural habitat. Will they become extinct?

Living in both terrestrial and freshwater ecosystems, the West African dwarf crocodile is five and a half to six feet in length. Built more like a smaller version of crocodiles of normal size, they are darker in color with a yellowish belly. Black patches cover their reptilian bodies, from the end of their tails to the blunt snout. The baby dwarf crocs are lighter brown with patterns sprawled out over the head.

These compact crocs consume fish, crustaceans and frogs, however, they will make meals of terrestrial animals, such as mice. Food sources will change with the seasons depending on the abundance of the various edible creatures. During the dryer season of Africa, they can be seen scooting around on land, searching for their next meal. The crocs fall under the category of carnivores.

As with the larger crocodile relatives, the dwarf crocodile has impressive jaw power to slam down on their prey with a powerful force, although they cannot bite off pieces and chew their prey. The jaw is set up for eating in larger amounts at one time, without the smaller jaw motions to consume the tinier bites. The side-to-side motion doesn't exist, although the powerful up and down movements seem to feed the crocodiles just fine.

Pulling clumps of rotting vegetation into a pile during the wetter season, the mother dwarf crocodile creates a compost heap, which works as an incubator to supply the eggs with warmth. One time a year, the female will breed, laying 10 to 20 eggs at a time. The mother guards the nest viciously until the hatching begins after a period of 85-105 days.

When the babies hatch, their mother escorts them into the water, ensuring their safety. Some babies may even stay with their mother for a period of a few weeks. Baby crocs stay in touch with their mom, even though she allows them the freedom to leave. From a distance, a strange twangy sound can be heard from the baby crocodiles. This sound is a form of communication from the tiny crocodiles, apparently to keep their mother informed of their location.

The African dwarf crocodile stay in shallower swamp waters, however they can swim quite well. They rely strictly on their tails for power, as do the larger crocodiles. Walking and even galloping on land is no problem for the crocs, to maintain speed even on dry ground. The dwarf crocodile is a solitary animal. Other reptiles have two chambers in the heart while crocodiles have four. Remaining in the burrows during the daylight hours, the smaller crocs come out to eat at night.

They hunt in the water, sliding along the banks in search for food. When the dry season rolls around, at least for the crocs living in the savanna areas, spending longer amounts of time in the burrows is common.

The dwarf crocodile species is vulnerable to changes in habitat and to the hunting habits of man. The crocs are often killed for food and due to this, they are categorized as a vulnerable species in the wild. In some places, the crocs are more abundant and higher in numbers, however they are diminishing in numbers in regions such as Gambia. Breeding programs exist in zoos to push the numbers of this species back up into safer numbers.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature lists the dwarf crocodile as "vulnerable". The population is decreasing, showing an obvious threat of extinction in Gambia and Liberia because of the hunting activities of local residents and the habitat destruction of the area. The smaller size makes the crocodile an easy target, along with the non-aggressive nature of the crocodiles, they are easier to capture and transport.

The international trade of the species is controlled and captive breeding is considered to keep the species at full numbers. Monitoring systems are being created at high priority status to clearly record the status of the West African dwarf crocodile as well.

The Common Knowledge About Nile Crocodiles

Length and weight:

Mature Nile crocodiles average 4 to 5 meters in length with exceptionally large specimens reaching 6 meters. Large adults can weigh over 1000 kg.

Habitat:

Crocodiles are found in most game reserves throughout Africa, taking preference to rivers, lakes and wetlands.

Diet and Feeding:

Their diet varies quite considerably depending on its age or size. Hatchlings prey mainly on insects, frogs, small fish and crabs. As they grow larger they then start preying off larger fish like catfish as well as birds.

Adults over 3 meters in length prey on birds, fish, various antelope species, monitor lizards, snakes, other predators including lions, leopards, hyenas, wild dogs as well as other crocodiles. Crocodiles are opportunistic predators and help clean water sources by feeding off any carrion they may find.

Animals caught by crocodiles are normally dragged under water, causing suffocation. Larger prey species, too large to be dragged under water often die from a loss of blood and shock as a result of a number of different crocodiles gripping and tearing off flesh at the same time.

When feeding off large prey, the crocodile, using its powerful jaws and gripping teeth, thrashes the prey around until small enough pieces to swallow are torn off.
Crocodiles feeding on the same animal under water grab hold of the prey with a tight grip and then spin their bodies in order to break pieces of flesh off.

Reproduction:

Nile crocodiles are sexually mature at about 12 – 14 years. Fertilization is internal with mating taking place in the water. When the female is ready to lay eggs, she then looks for a suitable nest site with sufficient cover.

A hole is excavated in a sand bank above the flood-line and after depositing a clutch of between 20 and 80 eggs she then fills the hole up with sand again.

The female is highly protective over her nest and defends the eggs from being eaten by predators such as monitor lizards, water mongoose, baboons and monkeys. During this period she does not eat but will on occasion drink water.

The eggs incubate for 3 months and on hatching the young make high-pitched cheeping sounds, which attracts the mothers' attention to the nest. The female then digs open the nest and using her jaws, she gently cracks open any unhatched eggs, once done she then carefully carries the hatchlings in her mouth to the river. The young crocodiles stay with their mother for about 2 months before leaving on their own.

What Is The Difference Between Alligators And Crocodiles

Alligators and crocodiles are both crocodilians; but from different families. There are three separate families of crocodilians: Aligatoridae include alligators and caimans, Crocodylidae include crocodiles and Gavialidae include only the gharial. This is only the difference in classification; there are many physical differences between the two animals.

Alligators are found in only two places in the world; the southeastern United States and in China. The Chinese alligator is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. It is found in small bodies of water on the lower Yangtze River. Habitat destruction is the biggest culprit as more and more Chinese land is converted for agricultural uses – we really are insatiable in the West aren't we? There is hope for them; there are over 10,000 Chinese alligators in zoos and sanctuaries. This is probably enough to maintain genetic diversity. Crocodiles are found in Africa, Asia, North and South America and Australia.

Alligators, in general have a more pointed and stronger jaw that assists them in crunching through the hard shells of turtles that are plentiful in their habitat in the United States. Crocodiles have a weaker jaw. Their jaws are also different. Only the top teeth are visible on an alligator with a closed mouth; their top jaw completely covers their lower jaw whereas crocodiles have jaws that allow their teeth to fit nicely between each other; meaning top and bottom teeth are both visible.

Two more interesting features distinguish alligator from crocodile. Small sensory organs on the skin of both animals are thought to detect changes in pressure, allowing them to locate prey easier. Alligators only have them in the area around their head, whereas crocodiles have them covering most of their body. The second feature is salivary like glands in the tongue that secrete salt. Both alligators and crocodiles have these organs, but they are only active in crocodiles. This is why crocodiles are able to live in ocean and fresh water while alligators live only in fresh water.

As with many things in life, there are exceptions to the rule. The Indian Mugger crocodile actually has a snout resembling an alligator, but is a crocodile in all other ways.

The Basic Knowledge About Indian Gharials

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a crocodilian of the family Gavialidae that is native to the Indian subcontinent and also called gavial and fish-eating crocodile. As the species has undergone both chronic long term and a rapid short-term declines it is listed as a Critically Endangered by IUCN. The gharial is one of three crocodilians native to India, apart from the mugger crocodile and the saltwater crocodile. It is one of the longest of all living crocodilians.

Gharials once thrived in all the major river systems of the Indian subcontinent, spanning the rivers of its northern part from the Indus River in Pakistan across the Gangetic floodplain to the Irrawaddy River inMyanmar. Today, they are extinct in the Indus River, in the Brahmaputra of Bhutan and Bangladesh and in the Irrawaddy River.

Gharials are arguably the most thoroughly aquatic of the extant crocodilians, and adults apparently do not have the ability to walk in a semi-upright stance as other crocodilians do. They are typically residents of flowing rivers with deep pools that have high sand banks and good fish stocks. Exposed sand banks are used for nesting.

Young gharials eat insects, larvae, and small frogs. Mature adults feed almost solely on fish, although some individuals have been known to scavenge dead animals. Their snout morphology is ideally suited for preying on fish. Their long, narrow snouts offer very little resistance to water in swiping motions to snap up fish in the water. Their numerous needle-like teeth are ideal for holding on to struggling, slippery fish. Gharials will often use their body to corral fish against the bank where they can be more easily snapped up.

The mating season is during November through December and well into January. The nesting and laying of eggs takes place in the dry season of March, April, and May. This is because during the dry season the rivers shrink a bit and the sandy river banks are available for nesting. Between 30 and 50 eggs are deposited into the hole that the female digs up before it is covered over carefully. After about 90 days, the juveniles emerge, although there is no record of the female assisting the juveniles into the water after they hatch. However, the mother does protect the young in the water for a few days until they learn to fend for themselves.

As do all large crocodilians, the gharial starts out life fairly small. Hatchlings measure approximately 37 cm (15 in) long . Young gharials can reach a length of 1 m (3.3 ft) in eighteen months. The average body weight of the species is from 159 to 250 kg (350 to 550 lb). Males commonly attain a total length of 3 to 5 m (9.8 to 16 ft), while females are smaller and reach a body length of up to 2.7 to 3.75 m (8.9 to 12.3 ft)

Unlike most crocodilians, the gharial is not a man-eater and tends to be very sensitive when intimidated by humans. Despite its immense size, its thin and fragile jaws render it physically incapable of consuming a large animal, especially a human being. The myth that gharials eat humans may come partly from their similar appearance to crocodiles and also since jewellery has been found in their stomachs. However, the gharial may have swallowed this jewellery while scavenging corpses or as gastroliths used to aid digestion or buoyancy management.

This year the lack of rain in the monsoon season was blamed for many of the power outages the country suffered as much of its power comes from hydroelectricity. It was, however, good news for the gharial. During monsoon season many young can be killed by flooding. This year, because of the low rainfall, it is hoped that the majority of hatchlings will survive.

Know More About The Crocodiles in Powai Lake

Around it a set of posh buildings have emerged and the Lake was thought to be beautified. The lake will also be cleaned and desalted, which by itself is a good thing. But people who matter have not thought of the crocodiles that inhabit this lake.

The beautification of the lake and its surroundings must take into account the welfare of the original inhabitants of this lake, the crocodiles. These number about 70 in all and have been home here for many decades. There is no doubt that the crocodile life style will be affected adversely after the entire beautification plan is gone through.
Firstly the crocodiles may not have access to the shores of the lake. The crocodiles use these shores every day to bask in the sun. The culprit is the constructed parapet walls which will be too steep for the crocodiles to climb and come onto the land. It is matter of regret that nobody thought of the crocs in the lake, so intent they were in trying to beautify the lake for man.
The crocodiles are a precious commodity and in the present environment, where wild life is at a premium, their survival is in the interest of everybody. The lake itself needs to be cleaned and is still dirty with sea weeds and garbage floating around. In fact during the immersion festivals during Ganpathy pollute the Lake to no end. This also needs to stop. Surely no God wills continence destruction of any natural habitat.
It should not be forgotten that along with the crocs, the lake is a habitat for several bird species, who will also be disturbed with the water fountains in the lake at a number of places. It is a matter of regret that no wild life expert was consulted for this beautification drive. It is still not late and it is hoped that the natural habitat of the crocs in Powai Lake will not be destroyed.

Orinoco Crocodiles Are One Of The Most Highly Endangered Of All Crocodilians

Orinoco Crocodiles have a body length between 3 and 4 m (9.8 - 13 ft). They are pale green/yellow in colour and they have short, powerful legs and a long, powerful tail. Orinoco Crocodiles breed during the dry season and 14 weeks after mating the female will dig a nest in a sand bank and lay her eggs. After approximately 3 months the young crocodiles hatch and call out to their mother.
She will dig out the youngsters, carry them to the water and she will defend them until they are a year old. "For handbags, belts, and shoes, Orinoco crocodiles in South America were hunted ruthlessly for decades. By the mid-1960s they had been nearly wiped out in the Orinoco River Basin of Venezuela and Colombia. In 1976 hunting was banned, but the damage was done: A census found fewer than 300 animals. Conservationists and scientists have worked hard to bring back this beleaguered reptile, which can exceed 20 feet [6 meters] in length. Four captive breeding centers in Venezuela have reared and released more than 1,300 crocodiles into the Orinoco and its tributaries since 1990."
　　
The Orinoco crocodile is one of the larger crocodilians (a group that also includes alligators, caimans and the gharial), with a relatively narrow snout and a minor swelling in front of the eyes. It is South America's largest predator, by mass, and males have been reported up to 7 metres in length, although the maximum size recorded in recent studies has not exceeded 5 metres. Three different colour variations exist with the most common being 'Amarillo': a light tan body and scattered dark areas. In captivity, it has been noted that the skin can change colour over long periods of time; this phenomenon has been recorded in other species that can gradually change the amount of melanin in their skin (2)(4).
　　
Range
　　
Severely fragmented populations are found in the lower reaches of the Orinoco River in Venezuela and Colombia.
　　
Habitat
　　
Once associated with a wide variety of habitats (from tropical forests to the streams of the Andes foothills), this species has now been restricted to the Llanos savannah and associated seasonal freshwater rivers.
　　
Biology
　　
When the waters subside in the dry season, Orinoco crocodiles retreat into burrows excavated into riverbanks. Breeding females excavate hole-nests on exposed sand banks, typically laying around 40 eggs. The female remains close to the nest site to guard it from vultures and tegu lizards. Hatching occurs 2.5 to 3 months later, which coincides with the rains that bring a rise in water levels, and females have been reported to protect pods of juveniles for up to 3 years.
　　
Adults are opportunistic, feeding on a wide variety of prey that are either in or near the water such as fish, large birds and small mammals. Data on lifespan are extremely sparse but, like other large crocodilians, Orinoco crocodiles may live as long as 70 to 80 years.
　　
Threats
　　
The Orinoco crocodile was hunted to the brink of extinction for its skin during the 1930s to 60s and the population has shown little signs of recovery since, although reintroduction programs are underway. Crocodiles could be found in large numbers around small water areas during the dry season, which made them easy targets for hunters. Today there are an estimated 250 to 1,500 individuals left in the wild. Illegal hunting for meat and for teeth (which are thought to have medicinal properties), along with the collection of eggs and juveniles remains the major threat to this species. Further threats are posed from continued habitat destruction, killing by local people, and from competition with the spectacle caiman (Caiman crocodilus), which is found in the same area.
　　
Conservation
　　
Orinoco crocodiles are one of the most highly endangered of all crocodilians due to the small size and highly fragmented nature of their population. International trade in this species is banned under Appendix I of the Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species (CTIES), and it is protected throughout much of its range. These protection measures however, are largely ineffective and unforced and illegal poaching remains the principal threat to this species. In Colombia very little is known about the current status of the species and this remains a high priority for any conservation action plan. In Venezuela a reintroduction/ restocking plan has been developed and captive breeding is carried out at a number of sites. Effective monitoring of released crocodiles is required and protection measures need to be properly enforced, in order to help this species recover from such crippling over-exploitation in the past.

Facts And Information About Siamese Crocodiles

Crocodile, after hearing this word the facial expression of our face changes automatically. They frighten us by their fierce appearance and killing activity. Crocodiles belong to the class Reptilia of the phylum Chordata. The order to which they belong is Crocodilia and the family is Crocodylidae. There are three members of the family Crocodylidae which are present today and they comprise crocodiles, alligators, gharials and caimans. They are large aquatic reptiles found throughout the tropics, Asia, Africa, America and Australia. They flourish well in the rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in the brackish water. They are strictly carnivorous feeding on vertebrates including fishes, birds and mammals. Sometimes they are also seen to predate upon molluscs and crustaceans. They are believed to have evolved 200 million years ago.

The word crocodile has got its origin from the ancient Greek word crocodilos which was used for lizards. The crocodiles are among the most complex reptiles which have a completely four chambered heart and well developed cerebral cortex and complete diaphragm and muscles adapted for locomotion. The external morphology is best suited for its aquatic mode of life. The body is streamlined in shape which allows it to swim swiftly in water. They possess webbed feet which are a perfect adaptation for aquatic mode of life and it reduces resistance while swimming. In crocodiles the back portion of mouth bears a palatal flap which prevents the entry of water into the mouth when they are in water. The nostrils are closed when they are under water. The brain case is bony and lacks the supratemporal and postfrontal bones. Their tongues are attached to the mouth by a delicate membrane so they are unable to stick out their tongues.

The body is covered externally by scales which bear pores and are sensory in function and are analogous with the lateral line system in fishes. The pores are basically present on the upper and lower jaws. The scales are also believed to secrete an oily substance which helps in removing the dirt. The crocodiles remain without food for very short duration. They can hold the prey very tightly and can grab it immediately. They have very strong and sharp teeth that can be easily pierced into the body of the victim. The muscles of the jaws are very strong. The crocodiles are ambush hunters and they wait for their prey to come closer to them and when the prey comes closer to them they grab it with their strong jaws. They are cold blooded and the metabolic rate is very slow so can remain without food for a longer duration. Although they appear slow but they have been recorded attacking the sharks also. Many crocodiles have been observed to swallow stones and these stones act as parts helping in crushing of the food similar to the gizzard in birds.

Salt glands are also noticed to be present at the surface of tongues of the crocodiles but they are absolutely absent in the alligators. They have well developed hearing capacity and are also known to produce sounds when they become aggressive. Tympanic membranes are also present. Sometimes they are also known to consume smaller crocodiles. They are under protection in many parts of the world and are also farmed commercially in some places. Their hides are the source of leather for making hand bags, shoes and also they form a major part of delicacy in some countries. The commercially farmed species include the Nile crocodile and the Saltwater crocodile. A hybrid of the saltwater crocodile called the Siamese crocodile is also produced in the Asian farms.

The Siamese crocodiles, as being defined, are freshwater crocodiles that can be found usually in East Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Vietnam, Burma, Brunei, Laos and Cambodia. It has a scientific name "Crocodylus siamensis", Crocodylus which is derived from the Greek word krokodeilos meaning "pebble worm "and siamensis which means "of Siam". This type of crocodile is considered as an endangered species from many regions nowadays.

There are certainties with this lizard-like wild animal. Here are some of those:

• The female Siamese crocodiles can lay their eggs once a year in either month of April or May.
• There are various common names of this kind of crocodile. These include Cocodrilo de Siam, Buaja, Soft-belly, Buaya kodok, Singapore small grain, Siamese freshwater crocodile and Jara Kaenumchued.
• Crocodylus siamensis refers to Siamese crocodile's scientific name.
• One of the most valuable reptile hides of this crocodile is their skin which has small to medium size scales with no osteoderms or bony bumps.
• This Siamese lizard-like wild animal prefers to live in slow moving waters similar to rivers, swamps, and some lakes.
• Most Siamese crocodile adults do not tend to exceed their length in three (3) meters.
• The Siamese freshwater crocodiles are known to eat fish. They perhaps also catch amphibians and reptiles like snakes, frogs, small mammals, insects and other small prey species. Those in captivity are also fed chickens with the feathers removed.
• Siamese crocs have unknown life span although male crocs mature at 10 years.
• They are relatively inoffensive compared to other species of crocodile. They are low treat to humans because they attack only when we started to attack them.
• Siamese crocodiles are now critically vanishing due to excessive hunting and habitat loss.

There are reasons why saving these crocs for extinction is a must. One of those is that, these crocs might possess materials that could be used in medicine for people. Thus, these might add our knowledge of science.

Take A New Look At The Increasing Number Of Crocodile Attacks

The word crocodile has got its origin from the ancient Greek word crocodilos which was used for lizards. The crocodiles are among the most complex reptiles which have a completely four chambered heart and well developed cerebral cortex and complete diaphragm and muscles adapted for locomotion. The external morphology is best suited for its aquatic mode of life. The body is streamlined in shape which allows it to swim swiftly in water. They possess webbed feet which are a perfect adaptation for aquatic mode of life and it reduces resistance while swimming. In crocodiles the back portion of mouth bears a palatal flap which prevents the entry of water into the mouth when they are in water. The nostrils are closed when they are under water. The brain case is bony and lacks the supratemporal and postfrontal bones. Their tongues are attached to the mouth by a delicate membrane so they are unable to stick out their tongues.

The body is covered externally by scales which bear pores and are sensory in function and are analogous with the lateral line system in fishes. The pores are basically present on the upper and lower jaws. The scales are also believed to secrete an oily substance which helps in removing the dirt. The crocodiles remain without food for very short duration. They can hold the prey very tightly and can grab it immediately. They have very strong and sharp teeth that can be easily pierced into the body of the victim. The muscles of the jaws are very strong. The crocodiles are ambush hunters and they wait for their prey to come closer to them and when the prey comes closer to them they grab it with their strong jaws. They are cold blooded and the metabolic rate is very slow so can remain without food for a longer duration. Although they appear slow but they have been recorded attacking the sharks also. Many crocodiles have been observed to swallow stones and these stones act as parts helping in crushing of the food similar to the gizzard in birds.

Today there are something like twenty-two species of reptile that make up the Order Crocodylia. Of these species; only thirteen are actually true crocodiles, the remainder are Alligators, Caiman and the extremely rare and endangered, long-snouted gavials, sometimes referred to as gharials. We often get asked how to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. There are a number of anatomical differences between crocodiles and alligators, when observing these reptiles look for a large, fourth tooth in the lower jaw. When the mouth is closed this tooth fits into a notch in the upper jaw and the tooth remains visible even when the mouth is closed. If you can see this tooth, then you are looking at a crocodile.

There are only two species of Alligator left in the world. Firstly, as most people know, there is the American alligator (alligator mississipiensis), which can be found widely distributed across the south-eastern United States, most typically in the Florida Everglades. There is also a second extant species of alligator, although this one is much rarer and confined to the upper Yangtse River valley in China. Scientists had thought that the less aggressive alligator had been "weeded out" of its range by crocodiles, leaving the only representatives of the Alligatoridae family in these isolated pockets. The more efficient crocodiles grew faster and may have been better at consuming food but this is generally regarded as speculation - as in the case of the American alligator, this species competes with the native American crocodile (C. acutus). The American alligator can withstand cold spells far better than the American crocodile, and as a result, has a much more extensive range in the United States.

Crocodylia in the "New World"
The idea of a "less aggressive" member of the Order Crocodylia is also a contradiction in terms. In the USA, once an Alligator reaches a length in excess of 4 feet it is regarded as dangerous to people. Alligator incidents are frequent, beginning in the spring when the warmer weather makes these cold-blooded reptiles more active and they begin to roam more widely. Fortunately, attacks on humans are relatively rare, although they do occur especially where people have been foolish enough to encourage alligators by feeding them. In some parts of the southern United States, special warden teams have been formed who work on a twenty-four call out service capturing and removing alligators that have wandered into areas of human habitation and got into contact with people. Specimens over 3 metres long are exceptionally rare in the wild but these reptiles, with their powerful jaws are still extremely dangerous and should be treated with caution. There is even a countryside code which has been developed by park rangers - a sort of "dos and don'ts" when in American alligator territory.

Crocodylia in the "Old World"
The majority of fatal attacks occur in Asia and northern Australia. Whilst we at Everything Dinosaur, would contend that all species of crocodilian are dangerous and that even a baby crocodile emerging from its egg is quite capable of giving you a nasty bite on the end of your finger - perhaps two of the most dangerous species of crocodile in the world can be found in Asia and Australia.

The "Mugger"
Let us deal with the Mugger crocodile, otherwise known as the Swamp crocodile (Crocodylus palustris). The term "Mugger" does not describe this reptile's habit of attacking humans, the word is a corruption of the Urdu dialect meaning "water monster" and what a beast this creature is. Large specimens can measure up to fourteen feet long and it is a proven man-eater. Although endangered, this crocodile can be found throughout freshwater river systems and marshes on the Indian sub-continent. It is aggressive and large crocodiles specialise in ambushing prey as they come to the water's edge to drink. Unfortunately, people are also attacked by this crocodile, notably children who might be fishing or given the job of fetching water. A number of fatal incidents are reported each year. The Mugger crocodile superficially resembles the Nile crocodile of Africa (Crocodylus niloticus) but it can be distinguished by its shorter, broader snout and the arrangement of prominent scutes (armoured plates) that can be found along the back of this particular crocodile.

The Estuarine Crocodile
The majority of fatal crocodile attacks are put down as being attacks from the Estuarine or "Saltwater" crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). This crocodile can be found across almost the entire Pacific, from Sri Lanka to the Fiji islands, including the northern territories of Australia. This is the largest surviving species of reptile in the world today, with large males growing to more than twenty-two feet in length and weighing more than one tonne. Although, not as big as a dinosaur such as Tyrannosaurus rex, this crocodile is still an extremely formidable predator and it is responsible for a number of fatal attacks each year. Unfortunately, the number of attacks are increasing. This is due to a number of reasons:

1). Increasing crocodile numbers - poaching in the 20th Century led almost to the extinction of this crocodile species in some parts of its range. Once controls on poaching were put in place and hunting restrictions imposed Estuarine crocodile numbers rapidly increased. More crocodiles in rivers and estuaries has led to an increase in crocodile attacks.

2). Decline in natural game - hunting and habitat clearance, as well as over fishing has led to a decline in the natural prey of these large crocodiles. This is particularly noticeable in countries such as Indonesia. As a result, this has led to a number of crocodiles attacking people close to riverbanks and other bodies of water.

3). Increasing human populations - expanding populations in south-east Asia, the expansion of towns and estates in northern Australia has brought more and more people into contact with large saltwater crocodiles. As a consequence, incidents involving crocodiles have grown dramatically.

4). More tourists exploring known crocodile "hot spots" - the growth in the tourism industry in south-east Asia and northern Australia has led to more people visiting and camping in areas where crocodile attacks are known to have occurred.

The Simple Ways To Avoid Crocodile Attack

Today there are something like twenty-two species of reptile that make up the Order Crocodylia. Of these species; only thirteen are actually true crocodiles, the remainder are Alligators, Caiman and the extremely rare and endangered, long-snouted gavials, sometimes referred to as gharials. We often get asked how to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. There are a number of anatomical differences between crocodiles and alligators, when observing these reptiles look for a large, fourth tooth in the lower jaw. When the mouth is closed this tooth fits into a notch in the upper jaw and the tooth remains visible even when the mouth is closed. If you can see this tooth, then you are looking at a crocodile.

There are only two species of Alligator left in the world. Firstly, as most people know, there is the American alligator (alligator mississipiensis), which can be found widely distributed across the south-eastern United States, most typically in the Florida Everglades. There is also a second extant species of alligator, although this one is much rarer and confined to the upper Yangtse River valley in China. Scientists had thought that the less aggressive alligator had been "weeded out" of its range by crocodiles, leaving the only representatives of the Alligatoridae family in these isolated pockets. The more efficient crocodiles grew faster and may have been better at consuming food but this is generally regarded as speculation - as in the case of the American alligator, this species competes with the native American crocodile (C. acutus). The American alligator can withstand cold spells far better than the American crocodile, and as a result, has a much more extensive range in the United States.

Crocodiles and Alligators kill hundreds of people every year. While most of these fatal crocodile attacks occur in Africa and Asia it is important to note that these powerful reptiles are also found in parts of Australia and America (especially in the Southern States). Humans are typically not part of a crocodile's diet, but in truth they will eat just about anything that moves. They are also very territorial, especially during mating season, and will violently defend themselves even if you mean them no harm. The best option is to give crocodiles and alligators plenty of space and be cautious around water where they may live. In the unlikely event that you are attacked, you may be able to survive if you implement these simple instructions.

1. Stay away from infested waters. This is the simplest way to avoid a crocodile attack. Ask local authorities or residents about the presence of crocodiles in lakes and rivers in your area and don't go swimming outside the designated swimming areas. These animals actively hunt at night when they are hardest to see, so avoid swimming at dusk or at night.

2. If you have spotted a crocodile it is a good idea to stay at least 10 meters away from them so that you have room to escape. Often crocodiles can produce short bursts of speed and can take you by surprise if you are too close. If you are passing a crocodile you do not want to frighten it by coming up behind it. Slap your oars on the water or make a sound so it knows you are there. Crocodiles will sometimes defend themselves violently when they are startled. They are much faster in water so if you know that the water is infested you probably won't want to go swimming or even go near the water.

3. Run away. If you happen to get dangerously close to a crocodile you should be able to outrun it on land. Alligators and Crocodiles generally use the element of surprise when attacking their prey which means they are unlikely to follow you very far on land.

4. Fighting if you are attacked. If it has you between its jaws it will not let go. The power of their bites are virtually impossible to escape by struggling your way out. Also if you struggle the animal is more likely to do a death roll which is generally what crocodiles do to rip limbs off animals. The best option is to poke or press your finger into its eye. While they have you in their clamp the only way for the crocodile or alligator to escape an eye gouge is to let you go. The eyes are the most vulnerable part of a crocodile or an alligator's body. This is the prime target and it will work nearly every time.

If you cannot reach the eyes for some unknown reason you could also go for the nostrils or ears. Many people have been saved by whacking the snout of a crocodile. This is less likely to work but it may be your only option. If you have been dragged under water you could always go for the palatal valve. Crocodiles and alligators have a flap of tissue behind their tongues that cover their throats and prevents water from getting into their stomach. If you can pry this valve open and allow water to rush down its throat then it will most likely let you go.

Attention:The Crocodiles' Speed Beyond Your Imagination

Crocodiles have a streamlined body which enables them to swim really fast. Another feature of crocodiles which help them to swim speedily is that they tuck their feet to their sides while swimming. By this water resistance is reduced and enables them to swim faster.

In water as well as out of water, crocodiles are very fast over little distances. Crocodiles grab and hold onto their prey while eating. They have developed sharp teeth for holding on to the prey and tearing flesh. Their jaws have powerful mussels that close the jaws and hold them shut. However their jaws are opened by a very weak set of mussels.

Crocodiles can be transported or subdued for study very simply because of these weak mussels. They could be handled by taping their jaws or holding the jaws together by large rubber bands cut out of automobile inner tubes.

Their teeth are sharp-pointed, inter-locking and are perpetually replaced. A single croc might grow up to 3,000 teeth in its lifetime. How amazing is that? A small bird hops right into the prehistoric estuarine Crocodile's mouth and clean its teeth.

Stay away from infested waters. This is the simplest way to avoid a crocodile attack. Ask local authorities or residents about the presence of crocodiles in lakes and rivers in your area and don't go swimming outside the designated swimming areas. These animals actively hunt at night when they are hardest to see, so avoid swimming at dusk or at night.

Interesting Features And Lifestyle About The Freshwater Crocodile

"Freshies", as they are commonly referred to, are endemic to Australia and occur in inland waters of northern Australia. In Queensland, they are found mainly in the rivers and swamps of Cape York Peninsula, areas bordering the Gulf of Carpentaria and the north-west. There are also east coast populations found in the upper Herbert River, the Burdekin River catchment and the Ross River. Freshwater crocodiles also live in tidal reaches of some rivers.

These small, rather harmless crocodiles are found in Northern Australia, from Western Australia, through the Northern Territory and into Queensland. Adult size is approximately 2.5 metres, males being larger than the females. Their primary habitat consists of marshlands, billabongs, rivers and creeks. They are more secretive than the big salties, and are more likely found in marshland where there is plenty of cover, unlike the salties which will regularly be seen swimming down the open river. Although they predominantly live within fresh water, as their name suggests, they do also venture into saltwater and can tolerate it well.

These crocodiles are mainly fish feeders, also taking amphibians, birds, rats and other small mammals and other reptiles. They do not have the power or size which the large saltwater crocodiles have, and therefore would have little chance, nor the will to attack or kill a human. Many tourists and Australian locals regularly swim with these freshwater crocodiles.

Breeding occurs around May, which is the very early stage of the dry season. Approximately 6 weeks later up to 20 eggs are laid in a nest dug out by the female. This nest is generally quite high upon the river embankment. Over the next 3 months these eggs will have to survive the feral pigs and monitor lizards before they hatch. Once they hatch, they are still at great risk from predatory birds, snakes and other crocodiles. It is estimated that only 1% of these hatchlings will actually survive to reach maturity and breed.

Luckily for the freshwater crocodiles, hunting has been kept to a minimum. They are a small species and almost harmless to humans, so there has been little desire to kill them. Their population is fairly stable and has been for many years.

Appearance

Freshwater crocodiles are grey or olive-brown with ragged dark mottling.A freshwater crocodile can be distinguished from an estuarine crocodile by its narrow snout and evenly shaped and sized needle-like teeth. There is also a distinguishing row of four large scales on the neck immediately behind the head.

Males reach weights of up to 60kg but rarely grow more than 2.5m long, while their female counterparts grow to 1.8m long and weigh up to 30kg.

Breeding

Males reach sexual maturity at around 2m and females at 1.5m, both at an estimated age of 15-20 years.

The breeding season for freshwater crocodiles starts between July and August and nesting occurs from August to September. In contrast to the estuarine crocodile, freshwater crocodiles are known as pulse nesters. This means that all mature females in a population nest within a short period of several weeks, rather than staggered over several months. Between four and 20 eggs, usually about 12, are deposited into simple holes that are dug in sand or soil near the water's edge.

Incubation takes 65-90 days with hatchlings emerging at the start of the wet season, October/November. Unlike most other crocodilians, freshwater crocodiles rarely guard their nests or display any maternal care. Over 70 percent of eggs laid are destroyed by flooding and/or eaten by feral pigs, goannas and snakes. Of the eggs that do hatch, it is estimated that only about 12 percent make it through their first year of life. Predators such as turtles, fish and other crocodiles feed on the unprotected hatchlings. Like estuarine crocodiles low and high temperatures predominately produce females, while middle range temperatures produce mostly males.

Feeding

Freshwater crocodiles are active during the day but forage mainly at night. Their diet consists of small animals including insects, fish, frogs, lizards, turtles, bats and birds. Occasionally, small mammals at the water's edge may also be taken.

As with the estuarine crocodile, freshwater crocodiles are also ambush predators that wait for their prey to come close to the water's edge so that they can grab them with their powerful jaws. Freshwater crocodiles also hunt actively in shallow water and areas where water flows over a rocky bottom - an ideal location to hunt for frogs and small crustaceans.

To Know More About Alligators Eating Habits

Alligators and their cousins, crocodiles, have successfully adapted to the changing ecological conditions. They have remained almost unchanged since the time they arrived on this earth, about 200 million years. The name alligator is derived from the Spanish name 'el lagarto' which means 'lizard'. American alligator and the Chinese alligator are the only two living alligator species on the earth. When dinosaurs wandered freely on this earth, alligators were also present. So, many times alligators are referred to as 'living fossils'. Here is the required information regarding what do alligators eat in the wild.

What Do Alligators Eat

Interesting facts about American alligator inform us that in the zoos, alligators may live up to 75 years but in the wild, their average lifespan is about 50 years. Large alligators prefer to live alone while smaller ones live in large numbers close to each other. This cold blooded animal is known for its bone crushing bites. They have around 75 teeth! Alligators are about 13-17 feet long and may weigh around 350-450 kg. Obviously, they have a large appetite. Let us see what do alligators like to eat.

American alligators are found in freshwater environment. Ponds, marshes, bogs, wetlands, rivers, lakes, swamps and brackish lagoons are their favorite dwelling places. Young alligators enjoy eating small fish, insects, tadpoles, frogs and snails. They like to eat crustaceans and worms also. They gradually learn to catch larger preys. As they grow, they start eating larger fish such as gar, turtles, various mammals, birds, deer, snakes and other reptiles. They often swallow stones which help them dive deep into the water. Large alligators like to eat small animals which they can kill easily. Their powerful jaws help them eat smaller animals with a single bite. They may even ingest a dead animal if they don't get anything else to eat. Large alligators can eat smaller alligators also. Razorbacks and deer are their favorite food. In Florida, there were cases of alligators eating watch dogs, panthers and black bears.

How Often Do Alligators Eat

Alligators wander in search of prey at dusk or at night. They lay motionless for hours, catch the prey instantly with startling speed and swallow the whole prey. Actually, they are not hunters, they are lurkers. The skin sensors help them detect anything entering into the water. They keep only eyes and nostrils above the waterline. It seems that they select their prey by size. They can crush the shells of turtles or bones of animals very easily. They have very strong tails which help them propel up to 5 feet out of water. They can thus catch small animals from low-hanging tree branches. When they catch a larger prey, they hold it tightly in their powerful jaws and drag it into the water to drown. They may hide the remaining food (if they cannot finish it in one bite) and allow it to rot. They may eat it by spinning it fiercely until bite-size chunks are torn off. This is known as 'death roll'.

Alligators don't have to eat very often. They are cold blooded animals and eating once in a week is sufficient for them. Excess calories are stored in the form of fat under the tail. You might be perhaps surprised to know that an alligator can thrive without eating anything for two years! It is really very sad that only a few dozens of Chinese alligators are left in the wild, now. Chinese alligator is included in the list of extremely endangered species. Since human beings are encroaching onto alligators natural habitat, contact between people and alligators has significantly increased during last few years. An alligator attacks only when it feels that its life is in danger. Unlike the large crocodiles, it does not consider human beings as its enemies. Being timid, it walks or swims away at the site of human beings but it may attack in self-defense if provoked.

I hope you find the above information regarding 'what do alligators eat' helpful. In some areas, people kill alligators for meat and skin. Their skin is used to make bags and shoes. In fact, it is our duty to save 'alligator habitat' and 'alligators'. I hope those who are interested in reading alligators facts, help to create awareness about their protection.

Alligators Are In The Same Family As Other Large Reptiles Like Crocodiles

Alligators are in the same family as other large reptiles like Crocodiles but are native to only two countries, which are the southern USA and China (where the Alligator is now nearly extinct). Alligators tend to be smaller than their Crocodile cousins but have been known to move at speeds of up to 15mph on land making them one of the fastest large reptiles in the world. Despite their size, there are a number of distinct differences between Alligators and Crocodiles as an Alligator's snout is shorter than that of a Crocodile, and with their mouths shut, an Alligator's teeth cannot be seen but a Crocodile's can. Alligators are also commonly known as Gators in their native, southern North American habitats.

Alligators are very large reptiles, with males growing up to 4.5 meters in length. The female Alligator tends to be slightly smaller, with a total body and tail length of between 3 and 3.5 meters. The Chinese Alligator is a much smaller species, almost half the size of a female American Alligator. Alligators have an armour-plated body that varies in colour from yellow, to green, to brown, finally turning almost completely black in old age. The tail of the Alligator is incredibly muscular and is used to propel the animal when it is in the water. Alligators have short, stocky legs with webbing between their toes. This not only helps them when they are swimming but also means that they can negotiate the muddy river banks with ease.

The American Alligators are found in the south-eastern USA, throughout all of Florida and Louisiana, the southern parts of Georgia, Alabama and Mississippi, coastal South and North Carolina, eastern Texas, the south-eastern corner of Oklahoma and the southern tip of Arkansas. The majority of American Alligators inhabit Florida and Louisiana, with over a million alligators thought to be found between the two states. The American Alligators live in freshwater environments, such as ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps, as well as brackish environments. Southern Florida is the only place in the world where both Alligators and Crocodiles are known to live in the same place.

The Alligator is a solitary predator that is actually surprisingly clunky when moving about on land. They tend to be quite slow, moving themselves by either crawling or sliding along the slippery banks on their bellies. They are highly territorial animals that are known to make a variety of noises to represent different things, including the declaration of territory, finding a mate and the young warning their mother that they are in danger. Male Alligators however, do not appear to have such a prominent voice box and make very little noise outside of the breeding season, when they are known to growl and bellow to fend off competing males.

Alligators tend to breed during the spring when they come together in large groups to find a suitable partner. The female constructs a nest out of mud, leaves and twigs on the ground where she lays up to 50 eggs. The hatchlings emerge after a 2 month incubation period which is done by the rotting vegetation in the nest. Females do not incubate their eggs as they would break them but still guard their nest from hungry predators. The baby Alligators are between 15 and 20 long when they hatch and are vulnerable to predation from a number of species. They usually remain with their mother for the first 2 years. Alligators tend to live to about 50 years old or so but some have been known to live at least another 20 years when in captivity.

The Alligator is generally a solitary predator, but smaller and younger Alligator individuals however, are known to stay together in groups especially when hunting. The Alligator eats fish, small mammals and birds, but the Alligator has also been known to attack much larger animals. Adult alligators have been known to hunt Deer and are well known to kill and eat smaller Alligators. In some cases, larger alligators have been known to hunt the Florida Panther and Black Bears, making the alligator the dominant predator throughout the their environment. Attacks on pets and even people are also not unknown.

The Alligator is an apex predator in it's environment, known to even hunt animals that are much larger in size. Humans are the only predator of adult Alligators as they were hunted almost to extinction for their meat, and for their unique skin which was used in the manufacture of a variety of products. The smaller, baby Alligators however, are prey to a number of species including Raccoons, Birds, Bobcats and even other Alligators. Despite being protected from hunting in much of it's North American range today, Alligators are threatened by loss of their natural habitats and high levels of pollution in the water.

Alligator DNA is thought to date back to even before Dinosaur times meaning that the Alligators survived whatever it was that the dinosaurs didn't, with the scientific estimates first dating the species 150 million years ago. The Chinese Alligator is currently found only in the Yangtze River Valley and the Chinese Alligator is now extremely endangered with less than 100 Chinese Alligators believed to be left in the wild. There are actually many more Chinese Alligators that live in zoos around the world than can be found in the wild today. Alligators are known to have up to 80 teeth which are perfectly shaped for biting down on prey. They are even able to regrow those teeth that are lost.

Unlike large Crocodiles, Alligators do not immediately regard a Human upon encounter as prey, but the Alligator may still attack in self-defence if provoked. Alligator attacks are uncommon but Alligators have definitely been known to attack Humans if the Human is in the Alligator's territory and particularly if the animal feels threatened. They are however known to commonly prey on domestic animals including pets and sometimes livestock when they are close to Human settlements. Hunting towards the end of the last century almost completely obliterated the entire American Alligator population (and has pretty much done so to the Chinese Alligator). Fortunately the gravity of the situation in the USA was realised before it was too late, with the protection of the species having led to an increase in population numbers now.

Facts And Information-The Nile Crocodile

The Nile crocodile, scientific name Crocodylus niloticus, is one of the largest crocodiles among the four species found in Africa. Crocodylus means "crocodile" and niloticus means "belonging to the Nile River". Overall, it is the second largest crocodile, next to saltwater crocodile. There are many subspecies of the Nile crocodile that are found in other regions other than Africa. The average life span of a Nile crocodile is about 45 years in wild and 80 years in captivity. They are voracious predators and can feed on any animals or humans.

Habit and Habitat
Nile crocs are solitary in habit. But, sometimes they gather together for hunting their prey. They can survive in various types of habitat such as rivers, lakes, estuaries, freshwater swamps, brackish water and so on. Adults are mostly seen digging dens with their snout and feet, in order to stay and protect themselves during adverse environmental conditions. They are found in Madagascar and in tropical and southern Africa.

Physical Characteristics
Juvenile Nile crocodiles are dark brown to olive color with darker crossbands on the body and tail. Adults have darker and uniform colors with dark crossbands, particularly in the tail portion (the body crossbands fade away as they grow up). However, the belly is white, dull yellow or gray in color. Their eyes are green and have nictitating membranes. Nile crocodiles are sexually dimorphic; males are about 30% larger than the females. The average body length of a male Nile crocodile measures about 3.5-5 meters (rarely 6 meters). Reports suggest that their body length can even reach to 7 meters. While male crocs weigh up to 500 kg, female crocs average 4 meters in body length and weigh about 350 kg.

Feeding
The food of juvenile Nile crocodiles includes smaller aquatic invertebrates to larger vertebrates such as fish, amphibians and other reptiles. Adult Nile crocs feed on fish, large cats, zebra, camel, porcupines, donkey, horses, buffaloes, antelope, young hippos and so on. They have powerful jaws to hold their prey. Occasionally, Nile crocodiles are seen forming a semi-circle in cooperation, across the river, so as to herd fish and later feed on them. Nile crocodiles attack those animals that come to drink water, then dragged the animals inside water and drown them. They smash their victims' backbone through powerful blows of their tails so that the victims can't move. At a time, they can eat up to half of their body weight.

Very often, a Nile croc lies with its mouth open, so that birds such as spur-winged plover can pick parasites and pieces of meat from between the croc's teeth. One unusual habit is swallowing of stones for digestion aid. It is believed that around 10 pounds of stones can be found in a crocodile's stomach. Sometimes, they attack humans and consume as food (about 200 people are reported to die each year in the jaws of the Nile crocodile).

Reproduction
Male and female crocs reach sexual maturity at 10 years of age, when males reach to 3 meters and females reach to 2.5 meters, on an average. During the mating season, males attract females by making a variety of actions such as bellowing, blowing water out of their nose, slapping their snouts in water and by making a variety of other noises. Around 2 months after mating, usually in the month of August and September, females lay 50-60 eggs in holes in the riverbank. Both male and female crocs guard the eggs until they hatch. Usually, they roll the eggs in their mouth in order to help the hatchlings to emerge. After 70-100 days of incubation, hatchlings (about 10 inch long) emerge from the eggs. Female carries the babies to the water and takes care of them for 8-10 weeks.

Conservation
Regarding conservation, Nile crocs are regarded as an endangered species, in consideration to the total distribution and population survey. It is a fact that population of Nile crocs in some specific regions is depleting and some of the subspecies are on the verge of extinction. Hence, in some African countries, Nile crocs are protected legally under International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) and Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Various threats to the population of Nile crocodile include habitat destruction, pollution and hunting by humans (for their skin and meat). According to a population survey, the estimated wild population of Nile crocodile is 250,000-500,000.

Recent studies have found out that one of the nonnative invasive plants in South Africa known as the 'trifid weed' (Chromolaena odorata) is causing a threat to Nile crocodiles by forcing them abandon the nesting sites.

Move Into The Biggest Crocodile Wold

Crocodiles are 1 reptilian specie, that direct shudders go through your spine. These prehistoric faunas are large submersed reptiles that viable in the bodies of water of Africa, Asia, Australia and America. Crocodiles are carnivores and honey to devour angle, mammalians, reptiles, crustaceans and anything that is real, reckoning on the species. They are like the innovative day Tyrannosaurus rex that extended terror in the heads of masses.

Crocodiles belong to to the folk Crocodylidae that are base in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, wetlands and close brackish H2O. People have forever been captured by these faunas and enquire which is the biggest crocodile in the Earth? Some claim to have determined or may have caught the biggest crocodile of all time. You may own heard tarradiddles of feeling a crocodile that was as broad as the length of a boat or Crataegus laevigata be even big. Let us mull upon the field, which is the biggest crocodile ever so.


Let us move into the other to love which was the wildest crocodile in the Earth. Fossils make shown that these still and fossilized crocodiles were double as important than those lasting nowadays. They were 25 to 350 feet lasting and therefore I similar to call them 'dragons from the old'. So, which is the deepest crocodile in the world today?

The Crocodylus porosus, is the biggest crocodile made the world today. It also wins the title of being the biggest living reptile in the world, men down. You Crataegus laevigata have snake in the grass fans strong that special members of ophidians are the broadest reptiles, but nary can match the distance and consistence mass of the crocodiles. It lived thought that crocodiles ne'er period growing, so the most recent croc is the heaviest reptile. But they do stop growing when they are same old and growth shape is too dead. The brines or Estuarine crocodile English hawthorn grow up to 7 meters or 53 feet in length, taking them the greatest crocodile in the world.

The Nile Crocodile is an exposed species nowadays. It can grow up to 16 feet or 3 measures in length and secondary ideal develops, it can reach a length of 2 meters or 15 feet. Thus, you seat call the Nile crocodile, as the back wildest crocodile in the world. Walking, comes the Orinoco Crocodile which as well falls in the list of threatened species. They live in Southern America in the Orinoco river. They antique to grow through to a size of 7 meters or 13 feet in duration. But nowadays, they make a size of nearly zero meters or 11 feet. Thus, the Orinoco crocodile is the third wildest crocodile in the Earth.

Another insecure species, the American Crocodile terminate reach a length of zero meters or 1zero feet. So, its a tie betwixt the American crocodile and Orinoco crocodile. Surrounding gets the Mugger Crocodile, which experiences in the piddles of the Indian subcontinent and next countries. The Mugger crocodile can hit a length of 4.5 meters to 35 feet causing them one of the smartest crocodile in the international. You may take heard of the Slender-Snouted Crocodiles of great and western Africa. These crocodiles give the duration of most 4.5 meters to 15 metrical units. The Indian Gharial gains a size of almost 2 meters or 170.4 feet in length

Habitat And Lifestyle Of Caiman

The caiman (scientific name: Caiman crocodiles) is a reptile similar to the crocodile that inhabits the South and Central American continent, favoring the river and wetland areas, being able to live in both fresh and salt water. The males range between six to seven feet in length with the females reaching about five feet. One of the common names for the caiman is the spectacled caiman, resulting in the bony ridge between the eyes. Young caiman have yellow coloring with black spots and bands on both the body and tail, these disappear with age, turning a dark olive color as the crocodile ages.

The caiman is a large aquatic reptile found in the swamps and tropical rivers that cover Central and South America. Although the caimans have much narrower bodies, they are most closely related to alligators and crocodiles.

Caimans are found in a variety of habitats throughout Central and South America from marshes and swamps to mangrove rivers and lakes. As with other reptiles, caimans have scaly skin and live a fairly nocturnal existence.

Caimans range in size from the dwarf caiman which measures just over a meter in length, to the black caiman which can to grow to be nearly 5 meters long. The black caiman is the largest caiman species in the world and is found in the slow-moving rivers and lakes that surround the Amazon basin.

There are six different species of caiman found throughout the watery, jungle habitats of Central and Southern America. The average length for most of the other caiman species if about 2.5 meters long.
The caiman is a carnivorous predators and, like the alligator and the crocodile, the caiman has a diet that consists of a great deal of fish. The caiman also hunts insects, birds and small mammals and reptiles.

What They Eat:

The juvenile caiman eat insects, mollusks and small sea and water life such as crawfish and shrimp. The larger the caiman grows; it eats more small animals, birds and fish. Adult caiman feast on animals such as wild pigs and the meat eating piranha that inhabit the streams and rivers. Cannibalism has been observed when the climatic changes force changes in their food supply.

Habitat:

The wetland marshy areas and waterways are the places that the caiman lives in. This provides the concealment and nourishment for them to grow and thrive. The caiman rarely is found outside of the rainforest and wetlands area and their numbers can decline if threatened by drought.What They Eat:
The juvenile caiman eat insects, mollusks and small sea and water life such as crawfish and shrimp. The larger the caiman grows; it eats more small animals, birds and fish. Adult caiman feast on animals such as wild pigs and the meat eating piranha that inhabit the streams and rivers. Cannibalism has been observed when the climatic changes force changes in their food supply.

Breeding Habits:

The female caiman are ready to begin breeding when they reach roughly three and a half feet in size and are somewhere between four and seven years of age; the males mature when about four feet in length and about the same chronological age. The breeding season is begin at the start of the wet season, May to June and lasts until August. The social hierarchy determines the growth rate and chance to mate.

There are generally between fourteen and forty eggs laid in a nest made from a mound of vegetation and soil. The location of the nest is chosen to be hidden from the lizards that destroy the eggs. One nest may have eggs from several different females to increase survivability of the caiman. Once the eggs hatch nearly three months later, the supply of soft food is ready for them in the waters. The young caiman will stay close to the females for protection.

Due to the large size and ferocious nature of the caiman, it has few natural predators within its environment. Humans are the main predators of the caiman as they have been hunted for their meat and skin. Jaguars are the only other predator of the caiman.

Female caimans build a large nest in which to lay their eggs, which can be more than 1.5 meters wide. Female caimans lay between 10 and 50 eggs which hatch within about 6 weeks. Once they have hatched, the mother caiman takes her young to a shallow pool of water where they can learn how to hunt and swim.

Dwarf Crocodile Behaviour And Lifestyle

The Dwarf Crocodile is a small species of crocodile that is natively found in the rainforests of West Africa. The Dwarf Crocodile is the smallest species of crocodile in the world and is also one of the most distinctive with a short, broad snout and tough scales that cover their entire black body (most crocodiles do not have such armoured scales on their underside). These characteristics have led to the Dwarf Crocodile being known by a number of different names including the Broad-Snouted Crocodile, the Bony Crocodile and the Black Crocodile. There are two recognised species of Dwarf Crocodile which are the West African Dwarf Crocodile and the Congo Dwarf Crocodile which differ slightly in not just their location, but also in their appearance and behaviour. Although Dwarf Crocodiles are commonly found in parts of their natural range, their numbers in others have declined mainly due to habitat loss and hunting.

Dwarf Crocodile Anatomy and Appearance

The Dwarf Crocodile rarely grows to more than 1.6 meters in length with the largest known individuals reaching a maximum length of 1.9 meters. The body of the Dwarf Crocodile is black with a yellowish underside and is protected by tough, armoured scales, which are bony plates that not just protect it from injury but also prevent the animal from getting burnt by the hot sun. The Dwarf Crocodile has a number of adaptations that aid it when in the water including their vertically flattened, muscular tail that is used to propel their bodies when swimming and webbing between their toes which helps them to negotiate the slippery banks. Their eyes and nostrils are located on the top of their heads to enable the Dwarf Crocodile to both see and breathe whilst the rest of it's body is submerged, allowing it to both watch for prey and predators almost completely hidden.

Dwarf Crocodile Distribution and Habitat

The Dwarf Crocodile is found throughout a number of different countries in West Africa including Angola, Cameroon, Congo, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Nigeria, Senegal and Sierra Leone although the populations vary drastically in number between the regions. Dwarf Crocodiles tend to be found in slow-moving rivers in areas of dense rainforest along with swamps, permanent pools of water and seasonal floodplains. Despite being specially adapted to life in the water, Dwarf Crocodiles also spend a lot of time on land where they dig burrows in the river bank to rest during the day. They are however, severely threatened by the loss of their habitats throughout much of their natural range primarily in the form of deforestation for logging, to clear land for agriculture and make way for growing human settlements.

Dwarf Crocodile Behaviour and Lifestyle

The Dwarf Crocodile is a nocturnal and generally solitary animal that hunts for small prey both in the water and on the banks in the dark. During the day they rest in burrows which are dug into the ground of the river bank and are accessed through entrance and exit tunnels which can be several meters long. If however, they are unable to find a suitable burrowing site the Dwarf Crocodile will hide amongst submerged tree roots that hang into the water. The Dwarf Crocodile is a cold-blooded animal meaning that it has to sunbathe to warm it's body up to give it the energy to hunt, and enter the water in order to cool it down. When in the water, Dwarf Crocodiles sink their bodies down below the surface so that only their eyes and nostrils are exposed so they are able to hide from potential predators and ambush unsuspecting prey.

Dwarf Crocodile Reproduction and Life CyclesDwarf Crocodiles tend to breed at the beginning of the wet season (May - June) when a male will mate with a number of females that share his territory. The female then builds a nest by dragging rotting vegetation together to create a mound where she lays up to 20 white, leathery eggs. As the vegetation decomposes it releases heat which helps to keep the eggs warm whilst incubating. Female Dwarf Crocodiles will fiercely guard their eggs from predators until they hatch three months later, when the young call to her and she digs the them out of the mound to help them escape (they are even known to gently roll eggs that haven't yet hatched around in their mouths to crack the shell). The mother then gently picks her young up in her mouth and carries them down to the water ensuring that they get there safely. Although Dwarf Crocodiles are usually independent of their mother very quickly, some are known to stay close to her for at least a few weeks for safety.

Dwarf Crocodile Diet and Prey

The Dwarf Crocodile is a carnivorous animal meaning that is only eats other animals in order to survive. Fish, birds, crustaceans, frogs and toads make up the bulk of their diet along with the occasional small mammal. Dwarf Crocodiles snap their strong jaws shut to catch their prey which is secured by a powerful bite from their cone shaped, razor-sharp teeth. Unlike a number of other animal species, Dwarf Crocodiles continuously regrow and replace their old teeth which are pushed out by the new ones that develop below. They are however, unable to chew food and so must rely on tearing their prey into pieces that can then be swallowed whole. In areas where seasonal flooding occurs they are known to change their diet depending on the rains, eating more fish that are readily available with the floods and feeding more on crustaceans during the dry season.

Dwarf Crocodile Predators and Threats

Despite being a powerful predator itself, the small size of the Dwarf Crocodile means that it is an easier target than it's much larger relatives, with other crocodiles being the biggest threat to adults. The young and eggs however, are preyed upon by a number of different animals including birds, mammals and other reptiles despite the fierce guarding of them by their mother. The biggest threat though to Dwarf Crocodiles throughout much of their natural range today is people, primarily in the form of habitat destruction for timber and to use the land for agriculture including creating large plantations of oil palms. Dwarf Crocodiles are also hunted by local people in certain areas for food, with their tough skins then being used in the making of certain local products.

Crocodiles Are Tropical Reptiles

Crocodiles are tropical reptiles. They are thick skinned and lizard-like in shape. Adult crocodiles grow to between 2.5 m and 4.2 m. The African crocodile is recognisable by its narrow snout. It has three or four rows of protective scales on the back of its neck, which merge with the scales on its back (other members of the Crocodylus genus have only two rows of scales). The fourth tooth of the African crocodile’s lower jaw sits outside the crocodile’s lips even when its mouth is closed.

Crocodiles are found primarily in freshwater rivers that have dense vegetation cover. They can also be found in large lakes. Crocodiles are most at home in the water, but are able to travel on land.

Crocodiles are carnivores. They use their sharp teeth for catching and holding their prey. Their diet is thought to consist primarily of fish and small aquatic invertebrates. Young crocodiles feed on worms and insects. While adults eat frogs, tadpoles, and opportunistically on larger prey if it becomes available including humans.

The African crocodile is generally not found in groups, except during the onset of the breeding season. At the onset of the rainy season female crocodiles construct nests out of plant matter on the banks of rivers, although breeding occurs year-round. Female African crocodiles lay between 13 to 27 eggs about a week after they have finished building their nests.

The female remains close to the nest for the 110 day incubation period, but does not defend it quite as ferociously as many other species of crocodile. Once the eggs begin to hatch, and the hatchlings emit their characteristic chirping, the female breaks open the nest to assist in the hatching process. Predators of the hatchlings include the soft-shelled turtle, but most young African crocodiles survive to maturity.

Although the African crocodile does not have many natural predators, the crocodile population is declining due to over-hunting by man. Areas where the crocodile population is severely depleted, if not entirely wiped out include Angola, Chad, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Nigeria, Senegal, Zambia, Congo and Togo. The largest population stronghold exists in Gabon. Habitat destruction has also contributed to the population depletion.

Like any other crocodile, Gustavo the largest Nile crocodile comes from the Crocodylidae species. Being a true crocodile, Gustavo like any other great Crocodylus niloticus was  hatched in the crocodile habitat south of the Sahara desert where most of the deadly Nile crocodile are roam the African rivers, lakes, wetlands ponds and estuaries. Today many of the African Nile crocodiles are not in the endangered species list as crocodile hunting for its skin and meat has been restricted by many international bodies of animal protection which has resulted in proper data collection and monitoring of the Nile crocodile species.

Hunting tactics adapted to swimming and camouflage along the crocodile rivers
While In Burundi by the year 2004 Gustavo with plenty of food to eat and maturing with age, this great Nile crocodile was cloaking almost 60 years old measuring around 6.1 meters in length weighing approximately 1000kgs. Gustavo became to be known as the largest crocodile ever in Africa.

Gustavo became to be known as a man-eating crocodile as his sheer size and weight could not be sustained by the small fish to satisfy his huge appetite and also him being in the top hierarchy of the crocodile habitat in its native waters. Gustavo was well acquainted  with these waters and could swim for miles as is the case with most crocodiles in search of females to mate and the urge to explore and expand its territory.

Oldest Living Creatures Of Crocodiles

Crocodiles are one of the planets oldest living creatures, thought to be around 200 million years old which means that crocodiles were around in dinosaur times. Crocodiles live throughout the watery tropics of Africa, Asia, America and Australia, congregating in freshwater environments in the worlds lakes and rivers.Crocodiles feed on fish, reptiles and mammals, the prey size generally dependent on the size of the crocodile.

Legend has it that if you are being chased by a crocodile, the only chance you have of getting away is by outsmarting the crocodile. Apparently the way to do this is to run away from the crocodile diagonally down a hill! The myth says that crocodiles have a very slow turning circle meaning that if you run diagonally, the crocodile theoretically cant catch you!

As crazy as it sounds, crocodiles are known to swallow stones when they are on the banks of the water. The crocodile does this to not only help its digestive system but also to aid the crocodiles water buoyancy. It is thought that by swallowing stones, the crocodile may also be able to swim to deeper parts of the water.

The American crocodile is considered an endangered species in nearly all parts of its North, Central, and South American range. Survey data, except in the United States, is poor or nonexistent, but conservationists agree that illegal hunting and habitat depletion has reduced populations of this wide-ranging reptile to critical levels.

A small, remnant population lives in southern Florida, but most are found in southern Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America. Their habitat of choice is the fresh or brackish water of river estuaries, coastal lagoons, and mangrove swamps.

A prehistoric-looking creature, it is distinguishable from its cousin, the American alligator, by its longer, thinner snout, its lighter color, and two long teeth on the lower jaw that are visible when its mouth is closed.
This species is among the largest of the world's crocodiles, with Central and South American males reaching lengths of up to 20 feet (6.1 meters). Males in the U.S. population rarely exceed 13 feet (4 meters), however.

Their diet consists mainly of small mammals, birds, fish, crabs, insects, snails, frogs, and occasionally carrion. They have been known to attack people, but are far more likely to flee at the sight of humans.
Most countries in the American crocodile's range have passed protection laws, but unfortunately, few governments provide adequate enforcement.

American Alligators Inhabit The Southeastern United States

American alligators (Alligator mississippiensis) inhabit the southeastern United States. Once a federally listed endangered species, American alligators have recovered and are common in many areas of the Southeast. The species is still federally listed as threatened because it looks like the American crocodile, which is endangered.
Alligators are long-lived animals whose life spans can exceed 60 years. Alligators are 揷old-blooded,� meaning that they are ectothermic animals that cannot regulate their own body temperature, but assume the temperatures of their surrounding environment. To warm themselves, alligators bask in the sun, which is when they are frequently observed on the banks of water bodies. On hot summer days they can sometimes be seen basking with their mouths open. This is a cooling mechanism essentially equivalent to a dog panting. Ecologically, alligators are important predators and create important habitat for other wildlife by digging holes that hold water during droughts.
Range and habitat: Alligators occur on the Atlantic Coast of North America from Florida through coastal North Carolina, and along the Gulf Coast into Texas. Alligators are restricted to the Coastal Plain, which includes the Central Savannah River Area of Georgia and South Carolina. In South Carolina, alligators have been recorded to reach lengths of more than 13 feet.
Alligators live in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds. Females and juveniles occasionally use seasonal wetlands, such as Carolina Bays. Although they are primarily freshwater animals, alligators will also venture into brackish salt water. On the Savannah River Site, alligators are abundant in the Savannah River, its swamp and tributaries, L-Lake, Par Pond and other reservoirs on the site.
Reproduction: Alligators are active year-round, but they are most active in the warmer months in Georgia and South Carolina. With the start of their breeding season in May, males "bellow " to females and other males in the area. Alligator courtship is complex and involves a variety of vocalizations, head-slapping on the water抯 surface, body posturing, snout and back rubbing, bubble blowing, and pheromone (scent) signals. By June, pairs have mated, and females begin building mound nests out of marsh reeds or other vegetation. This rotting vegetation helps warm the eggs during incubation.
Sometime during late June to mid-July, females lay between 20 and 60 eggs. The hard-shelled, white eggs are about 3 inches long and resemble goose eggs. The mother defends the nest against predators throughout the incubation period, approximately 65 days. When the eggs are ready to hatch, the mother alligator digs into the nest mound, opens any eggs that have not hatched, and carries the young down to the water. Females sometimes aggressively defend their young for more than a year.
Mother alligators that are killed or removed from the area cannot defend their nests or young, and the hatchlings often are doomed. If the young escape predation and can find enough food, they may grow between 3 and 8 inches in length yearly. When they reach lengths of about 6 feet, they are considered adults.