Crocodile. The largest crocodiles in the world Crocodiles are measured in units of what length

1. What does the article number mean?

- The first letter and the first three digits are the brand name and model number. The second 3 digits are the color number.

2. Are ALANDA products made of genuine leather or is there leatherette?

- All products are made of high quality leather of exotic species of animals (crocodile, python, ostrich, lizard, seal, sand snake). There is no leatherette on any product. Moreover, calf or pigskin is used for the interior decoration of the products.

3. How to become your wholesale client?

- allows you to receive timely information on prices, order the necessary goods (leather handbags, men's briefcases) in bulk online, subscribe to the mailing of price lists and news. You will get access to our wholesale trade after confirmation of registration.

4 . How many crocodile skins do you need to make a jacket?

-A woman's jacket usually requires from 3 to 6 clothing skins about 50cm wide. For a man's jacket from 4 large clothing skins to 8.

5. How is crocodile skin measured?

-Crocodile and alligator skins are measured across at their widest point, excluding pits. See photo. The cost is determined by multiplying the cost per cm in dollars by the measured width of the pelt. The larger the size of the skin, the greater the length of the strip of one cm of the width of the abdomen, the more years the crocodile was fed, respectively, and the greater the cost of one cm.

6. What is the difference between the full width of the skin and shir another for which they take money?

7. How much does crocodile leather cost?

-It must be understood that crocodiles are not found in Russia and, in any case, the skins are imported and are bought for dollars. Taking into account the constant changes in the dollar exchange rate, we give approximate prices in US dollars, although the sale is carried out for rubles. So: clothing leather costs about 1500 (1000-3000) US dollars for a whole skin. Haberdashery leather starts at $ 300 for a whole hide. Prices are indicative and depend on many different parameters: dressing, color, grade, factory, size. The price of each specific skin is determined by the value of cm of the width of the abdomen.

8. Is it possible to buy pieces of crocodile skins in our store?

-As a rule, we do not have small pieces of crocodile and we only sell whole skins.

9. What is the difference between a crocodile pattern and an alligator?

-The difference between an alligator pattern and different types of crocodile is not particularly significant, but we will be happy to show and tell you when you visit our office.

10. How long does it take to sew a jacket?

-The usual sewing time is 1 month. But if the client does not have enough time for fitting, then the process can be dragged out. It also sometimes happens that in Moscow it is not always possible to immediately find a suitable fittings and you have to wait for delivery for about 2 weeks.

11. How long does it take to sew shoes?

-The technological process of sewing shoes must necessarily include at least a week while the shoes will dry on the last. Otherwise, the shoes will not hold their shape. Therefore, the period for sewing shoes should not be less than 2 weeks.

12. How to open the combination lock on the Alanda briefcase?

a. We turn over the portfolio and look at the lock from the side of the bottom of the portfolio.


b. We rotate the digital wheel until the slot is visible from below. Repeat with each wheel so that the slots are in the same position as in the photo. At the same time, on the front surface of the lock, the numbers should be fully visible, and the slots all are in one position (in the center, slightly to the left or slightly to the right). It is impossible to admit a situation in which the numbers are not fully visible or two adjacent ones at once. In our case, all 3 slots are shifted slightly to the left of the center.


v. In our case, the shown position of the slots corresponds to the combination of numbers 222. Try to open.

d. If it does not open, then move all the wheels one digit to the left (ONE SIDE!). We get 111. Trying to open it.

e. If it does not open, then move all the wheels one digit to the left (ONE SIDE!). We get 000. Trying to open it. HURRAH! Opened!


 e. To change the code: with the old code dialed, press the button to open the lock and set the new desired code.

P. S. Instructions for women) Most often, only one extreme wheel is knocked down by 1 division. Accordingly, if the lock does not open, you can start by putting the old code and, in turn, rotate each wheel by one division ONE SIDE! in a circle, each time trying to open. Before moving on to another wheel, set the old code.

Crocodiles are among the largest predators living in various bodies of water. Currently, there are 23 species among these underwater predators.

Top 10 includes the biggest crocodiles in the world that exist or have ever taken place on Earth.

Length 3 meters

Opens the top of the largest crocodiles in the world. The largest individuals of this species can grow up to 4 meters, but most often their size does not exceed 3 meters. The narrow muzzle of the predator is adapted for catching fish and other small animals. Currently, the population is poorly understood. The species is widespread in regions of West Africa.

Length 4.5 meters

It is one of the ten largest among the representatives of its family. The maximum size of the animal is 4.5 meters with a weight of 400 kg. It is not only one of the largest crocodiles, but also the fastest predators. His diet mainly includes fish and small reptiles. There were also recorded cases of attacks on domestic dogs and other animals, which were attacked by hunters from the water. The population is widespread in the reservoirs of Central America and in the Gulf of Mexico. This species prefers to choose lakes, rivers and swamps as its habitat.

Length 4.9 meters

A large reptile of the family of true crocodiles. The maximum size that this species is capable of reaching is 4.9 meters. Among its "relatives", the representative stands out for its brighter color and long, powerful legs. He lives in the fresh, swampy waters of Juventud Island, off the coast of Cuba. Hence its name. The aquatic inhabitant mainly prefers to feed on fish, turtles, crabs and some mammals.

Length 5.5 meters

One of the largest reptiles of the family of true crocodiles. The maximum body length to which the largest males can grow is 5.5 meters. Such giants weigh about 500 kg. The record holder among the Nile individuals was an individual caught in 1905. The predator's weight was just over 1 ton, and its length exceeded 6 meters. Tall monsters prefer to live in freshwater swamps and river estuaries. Like all crocodiles, representatives of this species have strong and powerful jaws, the bite force of which exceeds 2 tons. Aquatic inhabitants feed on mammals, birds, reptiles and large fish. Recently, the population of the species has significantly decreased due to the active hunt for the animal's skin.

Length 5.5 meters

Included in the list of the largest among its relatives. The maximum length of its body most often does not reach more than 4 meters, but individuals with a length of 5.5 meters are also found. The approximate weight of the largest representatives is 500 kg. The main source of food for the predator is fish, which is clearly indicated by their narrow muzzle. Sometimes snakes, birds, turtles, snails, frogs and other not very large animals become its prey. Despite the fact that the species among its own kind is considered less aggressive, there are known cases of attacks on people. Recently, the population of sharp-nosed crocodiles has greatly decreased, which is why the species was listed in the Red Book in many countries.

Length 5.8 meters

They are included in the list of the largest reptiles from the order of crocodiles. They differ from real representatives by the widest muzzle. They can be easily spotted at night, thanks to their red glowing eyes at night. In young individuals, the eyes are highlighted in green. The largest alligators reach 4.5 meters in length, but there are sources that indicate a maximum body length of 5.8 meters. A giant alligator with this length was caught in the US state of Louisiana and weighed about 1 ton. The habitat of the animal is China and the United States.

Length 6 meters

It is considered one of the largest crocodiles in nature today. A distinctive feature of the gavial crocodile from other representatives of the order is a narrow muzzle adapted for more convenient fishing, which is the animal's diet. The largest individual of this species is capable of reaching 6 meters, but most often gavials are not more than 5 meters. Giants are practically not adapted to walking on land and spend most of their time in water. The population is distributed in the Indian subcontinent, Nepal, India, Myanmar and Pakistan.

Length 7 meters

Also referred to as a man-eating crocodile, it is one of the largest representatives of its kind. The largest individuals are capable of reaching 7 meters in length and weighing about 2 tons. One of these giants was captured in the Philippine Islands. His torso reached 6.5 meters, and he weighed over 1000 kg. Now the monster lives in the local zoo, attracting a large flow of tourists. Predators choose both fresh and salt waters as their habitat, so their range of distribution is wide enough. They feed on reptiles, large fish, artiodactyls that come to the watering hole. There are cases when people became victims of bloodthirsty reptiles. The cunning hunter goes out to catch prey in the dark, when it is almost impossible to notice him. At the same time, ridged crocodiles are able to run quite quickly, developing speeds of up to 40 km over short distances and only along a straight trajectory.

Length 15 meters

Ranks second among the largest crocodiles in the world. An extinct species of the Cretaceous period belonged to the genus of giant crocodilomorphs. The animal had a rather impressive size: its maximum body length could reach 15 meters, and its weight exceeded 14 tons. He possessed a huge skull 1.5 meters in length and a durable shell that served as defensive targets when attacked by predatory dinosaurs. The predator had powerful jaws that provided a bite force estimated at 15 tons. Large species of fish and herbivorous dinosaurs served him as food. Sarcohus lived on the territory of Africa.

Length 16 meters

Tops the list of the largest crocodiles that have ever existed on Earth. The extinct species lived approximately 80 million years ago, from the end of the Cretaceous to the Neogene. The skeleton of the found giant predator was 16 meters. According to scientists, the weight of the animal exceeded 15 tons. The studies carried out suggest that the life cycle of deinhoz was 50 years, while it had the same growth rates as ordinary crocodiles. Presumably, the predator could have dealt with a large dinosaur in order to dine with them. His victims also became large sea turtles, which he dealt with with the help of his powerful and strong jaws. Ordinary fish could have come off as a small snack.

The crocodile is a semi-aquatic vertebrate wild animal, belongs to the chordate type, the reptile class, the crocodile order (lat.Crocodilia).

The predator got its Russian name thanks to the Greek word "crocodilos", literally meaning "pebble worm". Most likely, this is what the Greeks called a reptile, whose bumpy skin resembles a pebble in appearance, and a long body and characteristic body movements - a worm.

In seawater, the crocodile feeds on fish, sawnose rays and even white ones, the size of which is not inferior to, and often exceeds in length, the attacking crocodile. The menu of mammals is especially varied. A successful hunt brings a crocodile for dinner, a monitor lizard, a wild boar, or a buffalo.

Often they become prey to a crocodile, and. Crocodiles also eat monkeys, raccoons, martens, etc. If you can have a snack, they will not refuse to attack any domestic animals, be it, or cattle. Some crocodiles eat each other, that is, they do not hesitate to attack their own kind.

How does a crocodile hunt?

Crocodiles spend most of the day in the water, and hunt only after dark. The reptile swallows small prey whole. In a duel with a large victim, the crocodile's weapon is brute force. Large land animals, for example, deer and buffaloes, are watched by the crocodile at the watering hole, suddenly attacked and dragged into the water, where the victim is unable to resist. Large fish, on the contrary, are dragged into shallow water, where it is easier to deal with prey.

The massive jaws of the crocodile easily crush the buffalo's skull, and strong jerks with the head and a special technique of "death rotation" instantly tear the prey to pieces. Crocodiles do not know how to chew, therefore, having killed the victim, they twist pieces of suitable flesh with powerful jaws and swallow them whole. Crocodiles eat a lot: one meal can be up to 23% of the mass of the predator itself. Often crocodiles hide part of the prey, but the stock does not always remain intact, and is often used by other predators.

  • The crocodile belongs to the crocodile family, the alligator belongs to the alligator family. Moreover, both reptiles belong to the order of crocodiles.
  • The main difference between a crocodile and an alligator is in the structure of the jaw and the location of the teeth. With a closed mouth, a crocodile always sticks out one or a pair of teeth on the lower jaw, and in an alligator, the upper jaw completely covers a predatory grin.

  • Also, the difference between a crocodile and an alligator lies in the structure of the muzzle. The crocodile's muzzle is pointed and has the shape of the English letter V, while the alligator's muzzle is blunt and looks more like the letter U.

  • Crocodiles have salt glands in their tongues and lacrimal glands in their eyes to flush excess salt out of the body, so they can live in the sea. Alligators do not have such glands, therefore they mainly live in fresh water bodies.
  • If we compare the size of a crocodile and an alligator, it is difficult to say which of the reptiles is larger. The average length of an alligator does not exceed the average length of a crocodile. But if we compare the largest individuals, then the American (Mississippi) alligator has a maximum body length of no more than 4.5 meters (according to unofficial data, the only maximum recorded length of one individual was 5.8 meters). And the world's largest crested crocodile with an average body length of 5.2 meters can grow up to 7 meters in length.
  • The average weight of the Mississippi alligator (it is larger than the Chinese one) is 200 kg, while the maximum recorded weight reached 626 kg. The average weight of a crocodile depends on the species. And yet some species of crocodiles weigh much more than alligators. For example, the weight of a sharp-snout crocodile reaches 1 ton, and the world's largest combed crocodile weighs about 2 tons.

What is the difference between a crocodile and a gavial?

  • Both crocodile and gavial belong to the order of crocodiles. But the crocodile belongs to the crocodile family, and the gavial belongs to the gavial family.
  • The crocodile has salt glands located on the tongue, and special lacrimal glands in the eye area: through them, excess salts are excreted from the crocodile's body. This factor allows the crocodile to live in salty sea water. Gavial does not possess such glands, therefore it is a resident of absolutely fresh water bodies.
  • The crocodile can be easily distinguished from the gavial by the shape of the jaws: the gavial has rather narrow jaws, which is justified by hunting only for fish. The crocodile has wider jaws.

  • The gavial has more teeth than the crocodile, but they are much smaller and thinner: the gavial needs such sharp and thin teeth to tenaciously hold the caught fish in its mouth. Depending on the species, the crocodile has 66 or 68 teeth, but the gavial boasts hundreds of sharp teeth.

  • Another difference between the crocodile and the gavial: of the entire family of crocodiles, only the gavial spends the maximum time in the water, leaving the reservoir only to lay eggs and to bask a little in the sun. The crocodile is in water bodies for about a third of its life, preferring body of water to land.
  • Crocodiles and gharials differ only slightly in their size. Males of gavial usually have a body length of 3-4.5 meters, rarely reaching 5.5 meters in length. Crocodiles are not far behind their counterparts - the length of an adult male varies between 2-5.5 meters. And yet, hardened males of some crocodile species often reach 7 meters in length. As for weight, crocodiles win in this round: the combed crocodile can reach a mass of 2000 kg, and the Gangetic gavial has a modest weight of 180-200 kg.

What is the difference between a crocodile and a caiman?

  • Although crocodiles and caimans belong to the order of crocodiles, caimans belong to the alligator family and crocodiles belong to the crocodile family.
  • The external differences between a crocodile and a caiman are as follows: crocodiles are distinguished by a pointed V-shaped snout, caimans are distinguished by a blunt and wide U-shaped muzzle.
  • Another difference between reptiles is that crocodiles have special salt glands on their tongues. Through them, as well as through the lacrimal glands, crocodiles get rid of excess salts, so they feel equally good both in fresh and salt water. Caimans do not have such a feature, therefore, with rare exceptions, they live only in clean fresh water bodies.

Types of crocodiles: names, descriptions, list and photos.

The modern classification divides the crocodile order into 3 families, 8 genera and 24 species.

Family of real crocodiles(lat.Crocodylidae). Some of its varieties are of particular interest:

  • Saltwater crocodile (saltwater crocodile)(lat.Crocodylus porosus)- the largest crocodile in the world, a mega-predator, firmly established at the top of the food chain. Other names for this reptile are underwater crocodile, man-eating crocodile, salty, estuarine and Indo-Pacific crocodile. The length of the combed crocodile can reach 7 meters and weigh up to 2 tons. The species got its name thanks to 2 massive bone ridges passing along the snout from the edge of the eyes. The appearance of the crocodile is dominated by pale yellow-brown colors, and dark stripes and spots are distinguishable on the body and tail. The salt water lover is a typical inhabitant of rivers flowing into the ocean and also lives in sea lagoons. Saltwater crocodiles are often found on the high seas and are found on the northern Australian coast, Indonesia, the Philippines, India and off the coast of Japan. Crocodile food is any prey that a predator can catch. These can be large land animals: buffaloes, leopards, grizzlies, antelopes, pythons, monitor lizards. Also, medium-sized mammals often become the prey of a crocodile: wild boars, tapirs, dingoes, kangaroos, many species of monkeys, including orangutans. Pets can also become prey: goats, etc. From birds, mainly aquatic species, as well as marine and freshwater, and many species, fall into the mouth of the combed crocodile. Crocodile cubs feed on aquatic invertebrates, insects and small fish. Older individuals freely eat poisonous reed toads, large fish and crustaceans. Salted crocodiles, on occasion, practice cannibalism, not missing the opportunity to eat small or weak representatives of their species.

  • Blunt crocodile(lat.Osteolaemus tetraspis) Is the smallest crocodile in the world. The body length of an adult is only 1.5 meters. The male weighs about 80 kg, the female crocodile weighs about 30-35 kg. The back color of the reptile is black, the belly is yellow, with black spots. Unlike other types of crocodiles, the reptile has a well-armored skin with hard plates-growths, which compensates for the lack of growth. Dull crocodiles live in fresh waters of West Africa, shy and secretive, they are nocturnal. They feed on fish and carrion.

  • Nile crocodile(lat.Crocodylus niloticus)- the largest reptile of the family after the combed crocodile, lives in Africa. The average body length of males is from 4.5 to 5.5 meters, and the weight of a male crocodile reaches almost 1 ton. The color of the crocodile is gray or light brown, with dark stripes on the back and tail. The reptile is one of the 3 species that live in African countries and have no equal in the water element. Even on land, the conflict arising from prey, for example, with lions, is a tug-of-war, and the crocodile is still the winner. - a typical inhabitant of rivers, lakes and swamps located south of the Sahara Desert, including the Nile River basin. The Nile crocodile feeds on fish: Nile perch, tilapia, black mullet, African pike and numerous carp species. And also mammals: antelopes, waterbirds, gazelles, oryxes, warthogs, chimpanzees and gorillas. Often all types of domesticated animals become the prey of a crocodile. Especially large individuals attack buffaloes and young African elephants. Young Nile crocodiles eat amphibians: the African toad, the choppy reed and the goliath frog. Cubs feed on insects (crickets,), crabs and other invertebrates.

  • Siamese crocodile(lat.Crocodylus siamensis) has a body up to 3-4 m long. Crocodile color is olive green, sometimes dark green. The weight of the male reaches 350 kg, the weight of the females is 150 kg. This crocodile species is listed in the Red Book as endangered. Today the population numbers no more than 5 thousand individuals. The species range passes through the countries of southeast Asia: Cambodia, Malaysia, Vietnam, Thailand, and is also found on the island of Kalimantan. The main food source of Siamese crocodiles is various species, small ones. In rare cases, the crocodile feeds on rodents and carrion.

  • Sharp crocodile(lat.Crocodylus acutus)- the most common member of the family. The species is distinguished by a narrow, characteristically pointed muzzle. Adult males grow up to 4 m in length, females up to 3 m. The weight of a crocodile is 500-1000 kg. The color of the crocodile is grayish or greenish-brown. Crocodiles live in swampy areas, rivers, and fresh and salt lakes in the Americas. Sharp crocodiles eat most types of freshwater and saltwater fish. Birds make up a significant part of the diet: pelicans, flamingos,. Crocodiles eat marine and livestock at regular intervals. Young reptiles feed on crabs, as well as insects and their larvae.

  • Australian narrow-neckedcrocodile (lat.Crocodylus johnstoni) is a freshwater reptile and is small in size: males grow no more than 3 meters in length, females up to 2 meters. The animal has an uncharacteristically narrow muzzle for a crocodile. The color of the reptile is brown with black stripes on the back and tail of the crocodile. The population of about 100 thousand individuals inhabits freshwater bodies of the northern part of Australia. The Australian crocodile feeds primarily on fish. An insignificant part of the diet of adults is waterfowl and small mammals.

Alligator family(lat.Alligatoridae), in which the subfamily of alligators and the subfamily of caimans are distinguished. This family includes the following varieties:

  • Mississippi alligator (American alligator) (lat.Alligator mississippiensis)- a large reptile (reptile), the males of which grow up to 4.5 m in length with a body weight of about 200 kg. Unlike the crocodile, the American alligator can endure cold weather and can hibernate by freezing its body into the ice and leaving only its nostrils on the surface. These alligators live in fresh water bodies of North America: dams, swamps, rivers and lakes. The Mississippi (American) alligator, unlike crocodiles, rarely attacks large animals. Adult alligators feed on fish, waterfowl, water snakes and, from mammals, eat nutria, muskrats and raccoons. Alligator cubs eat worms, as well as insects and their larvae. Some alligators do not have enough melanin pigment and are albinos. True, the white crocodile is rarely found in nature.

White crocodile (albino)

  • - a small species of alligators, which is also a rare species. Only 200 individuals live in nature. The alligator is yellow-gray with black spots on the lower jaw. The average length of an alligator is 1.5 meters, the maximum is 2.2 meters. The weight of the predator is 35-45 kg. Alligators live in China, in the Yangtze River basin. They feed on small birds and mammals, molluscs.

  • Crocodile (spectacled) caiman(lat.Caiman crocodilus)-a relatively small alligator with a body length of up to 1.8-2 m and a weight of up to 60 kg. This type of crocodile is distinguished by a narrow muzzle and a characteristic bone growth between the eyes, shaped like glasses. The small caiman has a yellow body with black spots, an adult crocodile has an olive green skin. The reptile has the widest range of alligators. Cayman lives in low-lying, stagnant bodies of water with fresh or salt water from Mexico and Guatemala to the Dominican Republic and the Bahamas. Due to its small size, the caiman feeds on mollusks, medium-sized fish, freshwater crabs, as well as small reptiles and mammals. Mature individuals occasionally attack large amphibians and, for example, as well as wild boars and even other caimans.

Crocodiles are a peculiar group of reptiles with a specific lifestyle. There are 22 species of crocodiles in the world, which make up a separate detachment. In terms of body structure, crocodiles are very different from other reptiles and in their origin are closest to dinosaurs. For this, in the Reptilian class, they are even singled out into a separate subclass of Archosaurs (that is, the Ancient Lizards).

A combed crocodile (Crocodylus porosus).

It is customary to divide crocodiles into real and alligators (which also include caimans), but outwardly they differ only in that alligators have a muzzle with a wide blunt end, and in crocodiles it is narrowed.

Gavial (Gavialis gangeticus) eats only fish, and therefore its muzzle is greatly narrowed.

The size of different species varies from 1.5 m in length for the blunt-nosed crocodile to 10 m for the Nile crocodile. All crocodiles have an elongated, slightly flattened body, a short neck and a large head with a highly elongated muzzle. The paws of crocodiles are short and located, like in all reptiles, on the sides of the body, and not under the body, like in birds and mammals. This arrangement of the limbs leaves an imprint on the way crocodiles move.

Crocodile paws have swimming membranes.

All crocodiles have a long and thick tail. The tail is flattened from the sides and serves as a rudder, engine and thermostat. It is characteristic that the eyes and nostrils are located in crocodiles on the top of the skull. This allows animals to breathe and see while their body is completely submerged in water. In addition, crocodiles are able to hold their breath and can stay under water for up to 2 hours without surfacing.

Crocodile underwater.

Crocodiles have small brains, but they are the most intelligent of all reptiles. They also have one more progressive feature. Crocodiles are cold-blooded animals. But it turned out that crocodiles, straining the muscles of the body, can arbitrarily warm up the blood so that their temperature is 5-7 degrees higher than the ambient temperature.

The body of crocodiles is covered with thick skin. Instead of small scales covering the body of other reptiles, crocodiles have large shields. Their shape and size are different in different parts of the body and form a unique pattern. In many species of crocodiles, the shields are additionally reinforced with subcutaneous bone plates, which fuse with the bones of the skull on the head. These plates create a kind of armor, making the crocodile's body invulnerable to outside attack. The color of all crocodiles is protective: black, gray, dirty brown. White albino crocodiles are extremely rare. In nature, such animals usually do not survive.

The alligator is an albino.

Crocodiles are thermophilic animals and live only in the tropics and subtropics. They inhabit almost all parts of the world, except Antarctica and Europe. All crocodiles are aquatic animals closely associated with water bodies. The overwhelming majority prefers to settle in shallow lakes and rivers with a quiet flow.

Mississippi alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) settles in impenetrable swamps.

But cresty crocodiles inhabit sea lagoons and river deltas. These crocodiles, found in Australia and Oceania, often swim across wide sea bays and straits between the islands.

Crocodiles are slow but cunning. They spend most of the time immobile, lying in shallow water or passively drifting with the current. Often crocodiles become so numb that birds and turtles mistake them for trees and climb on their backs.

The crocodile took the body of a relative for a log and climbed onto it to dry.

But this calmness is deceptive: as soon as a potential victim reaches the limits of reach, the crocodile makes a sharp throw. A powerful tail plays a significant role in this, with the movements of which the crocodile throws its body forward. The splash of water attracts other crocodiles and they instantly swim to the victim from all over the area.

The crocodile catches a heron, which inadvertently tried to sit on it.

Constant stay in cool water lowers the body temperature, and therefore the general metabolism. In order not to "freeze" the animals are forced to crawl out onto land and bask for several hours on the shore. On land, crocodiles are also practically immobile.

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) basking in the sun.

On the ground, they crawl, clumsily spreading their paws and wagging their bodies from side to side. However, sometimes crocodiles can switch to a completely "drill" step, keeping their legs under the body. In case of extreme danger, the crocodile can even run at a gallop at a speed of 12 km / h!

The crocodile crosses the road.

Crocodiles feed on any animal food that can be found in the water or on the shore. They mainly eat fish, as well as small animals and birds that swim in the reservoir. Young crocodiles, unable to attack such game because of their size, are content with hunting insects, molluscs, frogs. But the largest species of crocodiles prefer not to waste time on trifles: they lie in wait for large animals that have come to drink - buffaloes, zebras, antelopes.

The crocodile has caught a swimming wildebeest.

Crocodiles do not "distinguish between ranks" and attack not only defenseless ungulates, but also lions, hippos and even elephants. Crocodile jaws have tremendous strength. In addition, he has a special structure of teeth: they are located asymmetrically in a crocodile, so that the large teeth of the upper jaw correspond to the small ones of the lower one. Thus, the teeth close together like a lock, it is almost impossible to escape from its mouth.

A combed crocodile is resting with an open mouth.

But such a structure of the jaw turns out to be one problem for crocodiles - they can grab a victim, but they cannot chew. Therefore, crocodiles either swallow it whole, or tear off large pieces in a special way: they pinch a part of the carcass in their teeth and begin to spin in the water around their axis, thereby "unscrewing" a piece of meat.

Crocodiles are solitary animals, but they calmly tolerate the neighborhood of their own kind. In reservoirs rich in food, crocodiles constantly monitor the behavior of their fellows and, at the slightest sign of a meal, rush to join it. According to some observations, Nile crocodiles are able to coordinate their actions on the hunt, surrounding and driving the victim into a ring.

Crocodiles eat the zebra together.

But friendly feelings are alien to crocodiles, they do not protect fellows, and with a significant difference in size, a large crocodile is quite capable of eating a smaller one. No wonder they say about a hypocritical person "shedding tears of crocodiles."

During the mating season, males show their own instincts, protecting the territory from the invasion of competitors. Having met, the males arrange fierce fights. After mating, the female makes a nest of silt and grass on the shore and lays 20-100 eggs in it. She is constantly near the nest, often without food, and protects it from any encroachment. The incubation period depends on the ambient temperature and lasts 2-3 months.

Crocodile's nest.

At the moment of hatching, the crocodiles emit a peculiar squeak and the mother immediately rushes to their aid. The female often picks up eggs in her teeth and gently rolls them in her mouth, helping newborns to get rid of the shell. Newborn crocodiles are quite independent and immediately rush to the water, sometimes their mother helps them to get to the reservoir: the crocodile takes the babies into the mouth and carries them to the water itself. In the first days, the female reacts sensitively to their voice, protecting from all enemies. After a couple of days, the kids are scattered around the reservoir and lose touch with their parent. The life of small crocodiles is very dangerous: in addition to numerous predators, crocodiles themselves can encroach on them. An adult crocodile will not hesitate to dine with its own offspring, therefore, young crocodiles in the first years are constantly hiding in the thickets. But even so, the mortality rate reaches 80%. The only thing that saves crocodiles is that they grow very quickly at first. In the first 2 years of life, their size increases by 3 times, then growth slows down. Crocodiles are animals that do not have an end point of growth, they grow all their life! And these reptiles live for a long time - on average 60-100 years.

Despite the dangerous nature of the crocodiles themselves are very vulnerable and have a lot of enemies. Many large animals can oppose their strength to crocodiles. For example, lions lie in wait for small crocodiles on land, where they are clumsy, and hippos are quite capable of eating a crocodile in half in the water. Elephants, which are attacked by crocodiles in infancy, can trample a predator to death as adults. In South America, crocodiles are hunted by jaguars and anacondas. But the biggest danger for crocodiles is ... small animals! Herons and storks massively catch small crocodiles, on the ground they are joined by a whole army of crocodile egg lovers. Crocodile nests are ravaged by turtles, monitor lizards, baboons, hyenas, mongooses.

For a long time, people have experienced fear of crocodiles, because crocodile attacks on people are not uncommon. The fear faded, however, when the unrivaled qualities of crocodile skin were discovered. For the sake of this valuable material, crocodiles began to be hunted on an industrial scale and the fate of many species was threatened. In part, the severity of the problem was eliminated by breeding crocodiles in captivity on special farms. Crocodiles, due to low intelligence and pronounced predation, do not lend themselves to domestication - it is impossible to control the behavior of these animals. However, crocodile owners often put on special shows to demonstrate the "abilities" of their pets. Such pseudo-training is based on a subtle manipulation of the physiology of animals, because a well-fed and even simply "supercooled" crocodile is very passive. Despite this, accidents on these shows are not uncommon.

Currently, the state of many species inspires concern due to the destruction of natural habitats of crocodiles.

Mississippi alligator is under threat of destruction.

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