The Crocodiles

Crocodiles are the world’s largest aquatic reptile that lives throughout America, Africa, Australia and Asia. They are cold blooded animals and have a body temperature that is similar to their surrounding. Crocodiles have streamlined body that enables them to swim swiftly. They stuck their feet at their sides while swimming which also makes them faster by decreasing water resistance.

The distinctive features of crocodiles are long jaws, protective amour, streamlined body and long tail, which make them perfectly suited to aquatic and predatory lifestyle. Crocodiles have a palatal flap, a rigid tissue at the back of the mouth that blocks the entry of water. The palate has a special path from the nostril to the glottis that bypasses the mouth. The nostrils are closed during submergence.

Saltwater crocodiles are found in warm climate from India and Sri Lanka to South-East Asia and Australia. They have a broader jaw line and snout and larger than the fresh water crocodiles. Fresh water crocodiles have narrow snout and straight jaw line. One of the huge captive specimens of salt water crocodile named Gomek. Gomek was captured in Papua New Guinea and sold to St. Augustine Alligator Farm in Florida, USA. It has been observed that crocodiles may possess a form of homing instinct. Three rogue saltwater crocodiles were relocated 400 kilometers by helicopter in northern Australia but had returned to their original locations within three weeks, based on data obtained from tracking devices attached to the reptiles.

Their webbed feet are advantage in shallow water where the animals sometimes move around by walking. Even out of water, crocodiles are very fast over short distances. They have powerful jaws that are capable of biting down with immense force. They have the tendency to retain indigestible objects in their stomach.

Crocodiles are protected in many parts of the world, but they also are farmed commercially. The skin of the saltwater crocodile, especially from the belly surfaces, is the most prized of all crocodile skins for fashion leather. Their skin is tanned and used to make leather goods such as shoes and handbags, whilst crocodile meat is also considered a delicacy.