Crocodiles have inhabited our planet for 250 million years. They survived dinosaurs and other ancient animals, as they were able to adapt to changes in living conditions. The evolution of these reptiles has led them to become large amphibious predators. Crocodile scares and at the same time attracts attention. Where the predator lives and what it eats, we will tell in this article.
Why do crocodiles last so long
All these millions of years, crocodiles lived in the tropics and subtropics, settling in freshwater reservoirs. Since the habitat for a long time remained virtually unchanged, crocodiles have not changed much since ancient times. After the huge dinosaurs and other prehistoric predators died out, the crocodiles did not have any dangerous enemies left, and they became masters of their habitats. New warm-blooded animal predators, such as lions, tigers, leopards, and so on, had a different habitat and could not exterminate crocodiles. Well, those, in turn, being strongly attached to ponds, were not able to expand their possessions.
The most terrible and deadly for crocodile enemies was man. Reptiles were killed for two main reasons. The first is the fear of a predator chained in a strong carapace with a huge toothy mouth. The second reason is mercantile. Crocodile leather has become a very valuable material for the manufacture of shoes, handbags and other leather products. Some peoples who eat meat and reptile eggs have made their contribution to the reduction in the crocodile population. Where do crocodiles live and what do they eat? This is a question that all children ask when they first see this reptile.
Who are called crocodiles?
Currently, all crocodiles are brought into three families:
- Real crocodiles.
- Alligators.
- Gaviales.
Caimans are considered by zoologists as one of the species of the alligator family. In total, 23 species of crocodiles are known and described. Each of them has its own habitats and food system. Since ancient times, scientists were interested in a crocodile - where it lives, how it breeds and whether it carries danger to humans. All these questions were asked regularly, and in order to get answers, I had to observe the animal for a long time.
So different reptiles
Representatives of different families differ from each other primarily in the shape of their faces and teeth. In real crocodiles, the muzzle is narrow and elongated, the fourth tooth of the lower jaw is visible with a closed mouth. Alligators and caimans have a wide and oval head, with a closed mouth, teeth are not visible, as they are closed by the upper jaw. Gavialov is distinguished by a very thin and elongated face. There are other small differences, such as the length of the teeth, the shape and location of the flaps of the skin, and so on.
The body of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials is far from perfect, like all amphibians and fish. He is not able to maintain the thermal regime of the body. All these reptiles can live only in hot climates and in warm water. They maintain the thermal balance of the body by immersion in water or going ashore to bask in the sun. The salt metabolism of these reptiles is very poorly developed, so they live in fresh waters. Only crocodiles have salt-exchange glands. The process of removing salts through the lacrimal glands is called "crocodile tears."
Reproduction and nutrition
Crocodiles spend most of their time in the water, but they lay eggs in a nest on the shore. Breathe atmospheric air through the nostrils. The powerful jaws of the crocodiles are filled with large and sharp teeth, but the crocodile cannot chew food. It is capable of dragging a very large animal under water, drowning it, and then tearing large pieces from the carcass and swallowing them whole. Reptiles are very voracious, but can go without food for a long time, because their life processes are slowed down. Still, crocodiles are patient hunters and ruthless killers. They are able to patiently wait for prey for a long time, quietly and silently sneak up to it, and then grab it with a swift throw and hold it with their jaws until it dies. Crocodiles do not disdain carrion, for this they are sometimes called reservoir cleaners.
Where can I find crocodiles?
Features of the behavior, nutrition and development of reptiles are determined by where the crocodile lives, in which zone it lives.
A combed crocodile is the only one of all species that can live in the salt water of the seas and oceans. It is spread over a vast territory - from the southern coast of Asia to the shores of Australia. It can be found off the coast of India, on the islands of the Pacific and Indian oceans, in northern Australia. This largest crocodile reaches a length of 6 meters or more and weighs about 1 ton. It feeds on animals, fish, that is, any representatives of the animal world that will attract its attention. There are known cases of attacks on white sharks, large animals, including horses, tigers, and so on. Cases of combed crocodile attacks on humans have been recorded. Now you know how this crocodile differs from the rest, where it lives and what it eats.
The Mississippi alligator lives in the southeastern United States. Especially many of these reptiles are found in the swamps of Florida. Lives only in fresh water. It feeds on all living things that live nearby. Snakes, turtles, fish, birds and small mammals are included in his diet. A hungry alligator can get close to people's homes and attack small dogs and small pets. The Mississippi alligator is able to dig small ponds. On the banks of these ponds, females make nests and lay eggs in them. In cool weather, alligators lose their activity and are half asleep. Males are larger than females and reach a length of 4-4.5 meters. People carefully walk around the places where crocodiles live.
In what country are these animals considered sacred? Earlier, the inhabitants of Egypt with awe treated these animals. Today the situation has changed - they are trying to avoid predators.
Crocodile angler
Gavial lives only in the rivers of the Hindustan Peninsula. The only species that has survived to our time is called the Ghanaian gavial. There are no others. The gawials have an elongated, very long jaw with a large number of teeth. This allows them to effectively hunt fish. The length of the gavial reaches 4.5 meters, in the mouth there are almost 100 teeth. But despite its large size, it does not attack large animals and people, since, thanks to the arrangement of its jaws, it is more of a fisherman than a hunter. Of all the reptiles of the crocodile detachment, the gavial spends more time than others in water, and sometimes even manages to grow shells. In addition to fish, it can also feed on small animals and carrion.
Such a crocodile is not dangerous for a person. Where this animal lives, there you can often find small villages, people do not fear such a neighborhood.
All representatives of the crocodile family, having existed on Earth for millions of years, have found their niche in the animal world. As predators, they fulfill their function as orderlies of ponds and coastal spaces. They cleanse their territory of sick and weak animals, as well as their decaying corpses. Crocodiles and alligators do not expand their holdings by capturing new territories and living spaces. Their fights with other predators are random and occur mainly at watering places. Victory or defeat in these fights does not mean redistribution of territory. But the life and continued existence of crocodiles now depend only on humans. They have no natural enemies in nature. People do not like to be in places where crocodiles live. The country America is inhabited by these animals, many residents see in these creatures an object for profit. Their skin brings a good income. But those who are not connected with crocodile profit try not to disturb this predator.