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.