CHICAGO
JUNIOR HERP SOCIETY
native to the Indian subcontinent and also called gavial and fish-eating crocodile. The gharial is characterised by its extremely long, thin jaws, regarded as an adaptation to a predominantly fish diet. Males reach up to 6 m (20 ft) with an average weight of around 160 kg (350 lb). It is dark or light olive above with dark cross-bands and speckling on the head, body, and tail. Dorsal surfaces become dark, almost gray-black, at about 20 years of age. Ventrals are yellowish-white
Habitats: Freshwater, tropical rainforest, tropical grassland Conservation status: Vulnerable The dwarf crocodile is the world's smallest crocodile, growing up to 190 cm in length They remain in their burrows during the day, coming out at night to hunt in the water, along the banks of the river or pool and into the forest.
An alligator can live up to 30 to 50 years. In adult male American alligators, length averages 3.4 m (11 ft) When on land, the alligator moves either by sprawling or walking, the latter involving the reptile lifting its belly off the ground. Alligators modify some wetland habitat, in flat areas such as the Everglades,by constructing small ponds known as "alligator holes". These create wetter or drier habitats for other organisms, such as plants, fish, invertabrates, amphibians, reptiles mammals
Africa's largest crocodilian, these primordial brutes reach a maximum size of about 20 feet (6 meters) and can weigh up to 1,650 pounds (730 kilograms). One unusual characteristic of this fearsome predator is its caring nature as a parent. Where most reptiles lay their eggs and move on, mother and father Nile crocs ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch, and they will often roll the eggs gently in their mouths to help hatching babies emerge.
The Siamese crocodile is a small, freshwater crocodilian Adults feed mainly on fish, but may also eat amphibians, reptiles and small mammals Large male specimens can reach 4 m (13 ft) and 350 kg (770 lb) in weight Females do appear to build mound-nests constructed from scraped-up plant debris mixed with mud.[
Morelet’s crocodile is small in size compared to several other crocodiles. Morelet's crocodiles are a dark grayish-brown color Morelet's crocodile can be found in freshwater habitats in Central America, can also be found along the coast in brackish waters. The adult crocodile averages 2.2–3 m (7.2–9.8 ft) in length with a maximum reported length of 4.3 m (14 ft)
Crocodilia
FACTS
! All crocodilians have thecodont dentition (teeth set in bony sockets), but unlike mammals, they replace their teeth throughout life (though not in extreme old age). Juvenile crocodilians replace teeth with larger ones at a rate as high as one new tooth per socket every month.
! Like mammals and birds and unlike other reptiles, crocodilians have four-chambered hearts
! Like all reptiles, crocodilians have relatively small brains, but they are more advanced than in other reptiles
! The skin is covered with scales composed of the protein keratin (the same protein that forms hooves, horns, feathers, hair, claws, and nails in other tetrapods), which are shed individually. On the head, the skin is actually fused to the bones of the skull.
! They are extremely protective of their nests and young, and will not hesitate to attack intruders
! A female guards the nursery area in the water, and if the young are alarmed, they will climb onto her back for safety