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Let's learn about crocodiles.
Crocodiles are a family of large, aquatic reptiles.
They live in tropical regions all around the world, in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the
Americas.
There are 14 different species of crocodiles - not to be confused with other types of crocodilian,
like alligators and gharials.
The smallest species of crocodile is the dwarf crocodile.
Dwarf crocodiles only reach a maximum length of just over 6 feet or under 2 meters, and
a weight of 180 lbs or 80 kilograms.
The largest species of crocodile is the saltwater crocodile.
The saltwater crocodile, which reaches lengths of over 19 feet or 6 meters and weights of
2600 lbs or 1200 kilograms, is not only the largest crocodile, but also the largest living
species of reptile on earth.
As reptiles, crocodiles are cold blooded, covered in scales, breathe air, and lay eggs.
They are semiaquatic, spending most of their time in and around the water.
They may be found in rivers, lakes, and wetlands, and even in brackish or saltwater.
Their bodies are streamlined, allowing them to swim quickly, and their webbed feet allow
them to make fast turns and navigate in shallower waters.
Crocodiles are also carnivores, which means that they eat meat.
They will eat a large variety of prey, everything from fish, reptiles, and birds, to large mammals.
Something interesting about crocodiles is that they will take care of their eggs and
protect their babies from predators for months after they hatch, something that is very rare
in reptiles.
Although young crocodiles may be eaten by any number of animals, fully grown adult crocodiles
are apex predators, with their greatest threat being eaten by another, larger crocodile.
Crocodiles may live between 35 and 75 years and continue growing all that time.
They can replace their teeth many times throughout their lifespan, as well.
Crocodiles have the strongest bite of any animal in the world: they clamp down on their
prey and then swallow it whole.
Although crocodiles can bite with a huge force, the muscles that open their jaws are much
weaker.
In fact, a person could hold a crocodile's mouth shut with their bare hands.
They hunt mainly at night, making use of their excellent night vision to ambush animals that
come to the water's edge.
Their eyes, ears, and nose are located on the top of their head, allowing the crocodile
to hide most of its body below the surface of the water.
Even in daylight, a crocodile can be hard to spot.
Because crocodiles attack so quickly from hiding, large species of crocodiles can be
very dangerous to humans.
To protect themselves, people will often kill crocodiles that come too close to their homes.
Crocodiles are also hunted for their meat and their hide, and as humans drain wetlands
and build cities, the crocodiles lose parts of their habitat.
Every species of crocodile has been protected since 1973, but illegal hunting and habitat
loss has still caused several species of crocodile to become critically endangered.Crocodiles
are very important to the ecosystems in which they live, and people are working hard to
protect them from extinction.
I hope you enjoyed learning about crocodiles today.
Goodbye till next time!