Alice White
Crocodiles are creatures like no other. Leading a predominantly aquatic lifestyle, they, however, cannot breathe underwater, and they prefer to hunt for land animals. In the wild, crocodiles are extremely dangerous – for example, in the sparsely populated areas of Australia, where they are found, you can often find signs warning of the presence of these reptiles in the vicinity. This precaution is very pertinent – crocodiles are usually not averse to eating a gape tourist.
- Crocodiles are often confused with alligators. Nevertheless, these are different animals, albeit similar ones.
- Crocodiles are direct descendants of extinct dinosaurs.
- The closest relatives of crocodiles are, oddly enough, birds.
- Crocodiles are very cunning and patient. Noticing the place where the herbivores come to drink, crocodiles water the shore in this place with water, transferring it in their mouths so that the ground becomes slippery. If an animal that comes to the water in order to get drunk slips, it will inevitably become a victim of a crocodile.
- When the fish goes to spawn, crocodiles in rivers lie down against the current and open their mouths. They don’t even have to do anything – just close their mouths and swallow the fish, which itself jumps into it.
- Crocodiles, unlike alligators, can live not only in fresh but also in saltwater.
- The ribs protecting the crocodile belly are not connected to the spine.
- If something falls on the crocodile’s tongue, for example, a drop of water, or a drop of sweat from the head of a brave trainer who stuck his head into the mouth of a predator, the crocodile immediately clenches its jaw, because it triggers a reflex.
- A well-fed, well-fed crocodile does not attack a potential victim even when success is almost assured to him – he is simply lazy.
- Crocodile teeth are ground down and replaced with new ones about once every two years.
- The aquatic crocodiles, however, lay their eggs on land.
- The water is colder than plus 20 degrees Celsius for most crocodiles is deadly.
- Crocodiles have developed a kind of symbiosis with birds – it opens their mouth, and small birds peck out pieces of meat stuck between their teeth. The crocodile never touches these birds.
- The seeming clumsiness of crocodiles on land is very deceiving – at short distances, they are able to develop very high speeds, all the more surprising for creatures with such short legs.
- In the foreseeable past, completely land crocodiles were still found on the territory of South America, but now they are no longer there – they have become extinct.
- Crocodiles reach maturity at the age of 5-10 years, depending on the species. Larger species grow more slowly.
- Crocodiles can live for hundreds of years, sometimes even longer.
- Among the many species of crocodiles, there are manifestations of cannibalism. Yes, on occasion these predators are not averse to eating each other.
- The Nile crocodile, which, as the name implies, is found in the Nile River, poses a significant threat to the inhabitants of the countryside around this great river.
- If necessary, a crocodile that has accumulated a sufficient fat reserve may not eat at all for a whole year, or even more.
- Some crocodiles hibernate during the period of drought and hide at the bottom of shallow water bodies.
- In one sitting, the crocodile easily eats prey equal to one-fifth of its own body weight.
- Small crocodiles from one clutch of eggs hatch at the same time. An interesting fact – if the eggs were stored at a temperature of 31-33 degrees Celsius, then males will hatch from them. If the temperature was lower or higher, then females will hatch.
- Crocodiles are one of the most ancient creatures on Earth. Their modern species appeared about 83 million years ago, and their ancestors – a quarter of a billion years ago.
- The largest crocodiles can reach a length of 7 meters and weigh under a ton. You can meet such a monster in the north of Australia, India, and Fiji.
- Different muscles are responsible for opening and closing the mouth in crocodiles. Those that close their jaws are very strong, and those that open them are on the contrary, so an adult may well prevent the crocodile from opening its mouth, holding it firmly with his hands.
- Crocodiles sometimes swallow stones. They help them grind food in the stomach, and at the same time play the role of ballast.
