Crocodile: where does he live? Where do crocodiles live and what do they eat?

Crocodiles inhabit 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 led to the fact that they became large amphibian predators. It frightens and at the same time attracts the attention of a crocodile. Where lives and what the predator eats, we will tell in this article.

Why do crocodiles exist for so long?

All these many millions of years, the crocodiles lived in the tropics and subtropics, settling in water bodies with fresh water. Since the habitat for a long time remained virtually unchanged, crocodiles almost did not change since ancient times. After the huge dinosaurs and other prehistoric predators died out, the crocodiles did not have dangerous enemies, and they became masters of their habitats. New predators from among warm-blooded animals, 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 reservoirs, were not able to expand their possessions.

The most terrible and deadly dangerous for crocodiles enemies was a man. Reptiles were killed for two main reasons. The first is the fear of a predator, chained in a solid shell, with a huge toothy jaw. The second reason is mercantile. The skin of crocodiles has become a very valuable material for the manufacture of shoes, handbags and other leather products. His contribution to the reduction of the crocodile population was made by some peoples who consume meat and reptile eggs for food. 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 crocodiles?

Currently, all crocodiles are divided into three families:

1. Real crocodiles.
2. Alligators.
3. The Gavials.

Cayman zoologists are considered as one of the species of the family of alligators. In total 23 species of crocodiles are known and described. Each of them has its own habitats and a food system. The crocodile has long been interested in scientists - where it lives, how it multiplies and whether it carries danger to man. All these questions were asked regularly, and to get answers, we had to watch the animal for a long time.

Such different reptiles

Representatives of different families differ from one another primarily in the form of muzzle and teeth. In real crocodiles, the muzzle is narrow and elongated, the fourth tooth of the lower jaw is visible with the mouth closed. Alligators and caimans have a wide and oval head, teeth are not visible when the mouth is closed, as they are closed by the upper jaw. Gavialov is distinguished by a very thin and elongated muzzle. There are other small differences, such as the length of the teeth, the shape and location of the skin shields and the like.

The organism of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and ghwals 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. The body's thermal balance is maintained by immersion in water or by going ashore to bask in the sun. Salt metabolism of these reptiles is very poorly developed, so they live in fresh water. Only the real crocodiles have salt-swelling glands. The process of removing salts through the lacrimal glands was called "crocodile tears."

Reproduction and nutrition

Most of the time, crocodiles are carried in water, but laying eggs is done in a nest on the shore. Breathe atmospheric air through the nostrils. The powerful jaws of crocodiles are filled with large and sharp teeth, but the crocodile can not chew food. He is able to drag a very large animal under the water, drown him, and then tear off large pieces from the carcass and swallow them wholeheartedly. Reptiles are very voracious, but can go without food for a long time, because their life processes are slowed down. And yet crocodiles are patient hunters and ruthless killers. They are able to wait patiently for a long time to catch, quietly and silently creep up to it, and then with a rapid throw to seize it and hold it with jaws until it dies. Do not disdain crocodiles and carrion, for this they are sometimes called reservoir sweepers.

Where can I find crocodiles?

Features of behavior, nutrition and development of reptiles are determined by where the crocodile lives, in which zone it lives.

The 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 the north of Australia. This largest crocodile reaches a length of 6 or more meters and weighs about 1 ton. It feeds on animals, fish, that is, any representatives of the animal world that will attract his attention. There are cases of attacks on white sharks, large animals, including horses, tigers and so on. Cases of attack of a combed crocodile on people are recorded. Now you know the difference between this crocodile, where he lives and what he eats.

The Mississippian alligator lives in the southeast of the USA. Especially a lot of these reptiles are found in the swamps of Florida. Lives only in fresh water. It feeds on all living creatures that live nearby. Snakes, turtles, fish, birds and small mammals are included in the diet of his food. A hungry alligator can come close to the home of people and attack small dogs and small pets. The Mississippian alligator is able to dig small ponds. On the shore of these ponds, females make nests and lay eggs in them. In cool weather, alligators lose activity and are in a sleepy state. Males are larger than females and reach a length of up to 4-4.5 meters. People walk cautiously along the places where crocodiles live.

In what country are these animals considered sacred? Previously, the inhabitants of Egypt with trepidation related to these animals. Today the situation has changed - predators try to avoid.

Crocodile-angler

Gaviale lives only in the rivers of the Hindustan Peninsula. The only species preserved until our time is called Ghanaian Gavial. Others are no more. The ghastals have an extended muzzle, very long jaws with a large number of teeth. This allows them to effectively hunt for fish. The length of the gavial reaches 4.5 meters, in the mouth is almost 100 teeth. But despite the large size, he does not attack large animals and people, because, thanks to the device of the jaws, he is more like a fisherman than a hunter. Of all reptiles detachment crocodile gavial more than others spends time in the water, and sometimes even manages to acquire seashells. In addition to fish, it can also eat small animals and carrion.

For a man such a crocodile is not dangerous. Where this animal lives, you can often meet small villages, people do not fear such a neighborhood.

All representatives of the crocodile family, having existed on Earth for millions of years, found their niche in the animal kingdom. As predators, they fulfill their function as sanitarians of reservoirs and coastal space. They cleanse their territory of sick and weak animals, as well as their decaying corpses. Crocodiles and alligators do not expand their possessions by capturing new territories and living spaces. Their fights with other predators are of an accidental nature and occur mainly on watering places. Victory or defeat in these battles does not mean redistribution of territory. But life and the continued existence of crocodiles now depend only on the person. They have no natural enemies in nature. People do not like to visit places where crocodiles live. The country America is inhabited by these animals, many inhabitants see in these beings an object for profit. Their skin brings a good income. But those who are not connected with crocodile gain, try not to bother this predator.