# Crocodilians (*Crocodylia*) Crocodilians are large reptiles that live in water and on land. They have strong jaws and can be found basking in the sun or swimming in rivers and lakes. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme - **Habitat:** Wetlands - **Also known as:** Alligator ![Crocodilians](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Crocodylus_acutus_jalisco_mexico.jpg&width=800) Photo: Tomascastelazo, CC BY 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Crocodylus_acutus_jalisco_mexico.jpg) ## Appearance The Crocodilians has a large, flattened body covered in tough, scaly, often drab green, brown, or gray skin. They possess a long, powerful tail, short legs, and prominent eyes and nostrils on top of their elongated snout, which helps them see and breathe while mostly submerged. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Reptilia - **Order:** Crocodilia ## Interesting facts - A crocodilian's bite is one of the strongest in the entire animal kingdom, stronger than a T-Rex's! - Crocodilians swallow stones, called gastroliths, to help them digest food and dive deeper! - The temperature of the nest decides if baby crocodilians hatch as a male or female! - These amazing reptiles have existed for over 200 million years, since the time of dinosaurs! ## Special abilities - **Super Strong Bite:** Crocodilians have incredibly powerful jaws because of their unique muscle structure that helps them crush bone and hold prey tight. - **Underwater Vision:** Crocodilians can see clearly underwater because of a transparent third eyelid (nictitating membrane) that protects their eyes. - **Sealed Throat:** Crocodilians can open their mouths underwater without drowning because a special flap (palatal valve) seals their throat. - **Master of Disguise:** Crocodilians have excellent natural camouflage because their skin blends perfectly with muddy waters and riverbanks. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-700 cm - **Weight:** 20-1000 kg - **Lifespan:** 30-100 years - **Speed:** 17 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 35 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 10-90 - **Incubation:** 60-110 days - **Maximum Depth:** 10 m ## Diet & Feeding Carnivorous predators that eat a wide range of animals, often ambushing their prey. - **Age differences:** Young crocodilians typically start with insects and small fish, while adults hunt larger prey like mammals and birds. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Birds, Mammals, Reptiles, Amphibians - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** Nile Crocodile (*Crocodylus niloticus*) — Actively preys on large mammals such as wildebeest. - **Shelter:** [American Alligator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-alligator) (*Alligator mississippiensis*) — Creates 'gator holes' providing crucial habitat for other wildlife. - **Eaten by:** Water Buffalo (*Bubalus bubalis*) — Feral populations in Australia are a food source for Saltwater Crocodiles. - **Eaten by:** [Ruddy Duck](https://www.snappit.app/explore/ruddy-duck) (*Oxyura jamaicensis*) — A common prey item for various crocodilian species in wetlands. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Thermoregulating](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thermoregulating): Thermoregulating organisms maintain a stable internal body temperature despite fluctuations in the external environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Speedster](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/speedster): This trait identifies organisms that exhibit exceptional swiftness in movement for hunting, escape, or travel. - [Aquatic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/aquatic): Aquatic habitats encompass environments where organisms live predominantly in water, including oceans, rivers, lakes, and wetlands. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 5/5 · Extreme Always stay away from water where crocodilians might be. They can be very dangerous. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Crocodilians? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Crocodilians? 150-700 cm ### How much does Crocodilians weigh? 20-1000 kg ### How long does Crocodilians live? 30-100 years ### How fast can Crocodilians move? 17 km/h ### What does Crocodilians eat? Carnivorous predators that eat a wide range of animals, often ambushing their prey. ### How fast can Crocodilians swim? 35 km/h ### Where is Crocodilians usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Long Island Game Farm](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/long-island-game-farm) — New York, US · Zoo - [Key West Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/key-west-aquarium) — US · Zoo - [Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/omahas-henry-doorly-zoo-and-aquarium) — Nebraska, US · Aquarium - [Alabama Gulf Coast Zoo](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/alabama-gulf-coast-zoo) — Alabama, US · Zoo - [Natchitoches National Fish Hatchery](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/natchitoches-national-fish-hatchery-louisiana) — Louisiana, US · Zoo - [St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/st-augustine-alligator-farm-zoological-park) — Florida, US · Zoo [View all places to see Crocodilians](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/crocodilians) ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Crocodilians: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/crocodilians)