Crocodile

Crocodiles are usually protected as an ancient lineage by human. They are influential predators with strong and large teeth. Many kinds of crocodiles belong to the family of crocodylidae. A crocodile is one of a few reptiles that is believed to transformed little since the dinosaur age. A crocodile is a reptile that lives both in water and on land, It is widely distributed throughout in Asia, Africa, Americas and Australia. 

Anatomy
The crocodile is well-known as a strong predator because of large teeth and strong jaws. Crocodile skin is protected by bony plates which are called osteoderms. They have a well-functioning teeth structure which interlocks when their mouth is closed and it consistent 30 to 40 teeth in each jaw. One odd fact about crocodile’s jaw is its power difference. It’s so powerful that it can crush an animal’s bones, however it is so weak when the jaw is opened – it can be held with two hands. On ground, crocodile can move fast and it use both belly crawl and relatively short four legs. 

Crocodile occasionally eats human and that is no surprise when an adult crocodile may grow over 20 ft in length and capable of eating large mammals. For the aqua living creature, crocodile has web feet and flat tail. Additionally, crocodile is good at hunting and those are highly raised nose, eyes, and ears. With them a crocodile can have senses of outside of the water when it completely flooded in the water. 

Reproduction
Crocodiles reproduction processes occur in the water and their are oviparous. About 40-90 size of crocodile eggs are produced and buried in sand, mud, or vegetable remains near a river bank. Female crocodile covers that with rotten vegetable and that keeps warm and wet before the eggs hatch. Female protects the nest for 90 days even though many of the eggs and young are lost to enemies. After the hatch, female take babies out and carries to the water. Babies directly start feeding on insects and crabs. About a year or more, young crocodiles stay together with female crocodile. Their social behavior is well developed vocal and hearing communication. 

Ecology
Crocodiles eat birds, fish, and even smaller crocodiles. Mainly, they live in the water or live on the ground. Wild crocodiles are mostly protected by human, and some are grown commercially. Their skins are used to make many leather products such as shoes, and purse. Not just skins for leather products but also crocodile meats are well known for nourishment. The Saltwater and Nile crocodiles are commonly grown by human. Unlike any other reptiles, crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs and birds. 

Feeding and Age
Crocodiles don’t chew Food. They have a strong jaw that can break virtually everything even animals’ bones. They also have large chunks where they store their chunks of food. Later those foods will go into stomach and will break own into small pieces. They feed variety of prey such as bird, mammals, and even humans can be feed accidentally. 

Many scientists researched crocodiles life span based on crocodiles teeth and bones growth rings. Until now scientists have estimated about 71 years of crocodiles’ life span but no sure. Because there are some evidence that some crocodiles surpass 100 years, and also found 130 years old crocodile in the Australia Zoo. 

Related References

 * Crocodile Multiple Authors, wikipedia
 * Crocodile Anatomy & Reproduction Answers
 * Crocodile Anatomy Msn Encarta
 * Crocodile Kidcyber