How much does the crocodile weigh? The smallest and largest crocodile. How many live crocodiles

Crocodile, perhaps, is one of the most terrible animals, which frighten children. His aggression is inexplicable for an uninformed philistine, though dictated only by instinct. On the inexplicable desire of an adult crocodile to drag the victim quickly to the bottom of the set of plots of works of art. Therefore, the answer to a purely practical question is always interesting: "How much does the crocodile weigh so that it can so easily deal with the victim?".

Size and weight

How much the crocodile weighs, what its size will be, depends on the type and sex of the reptiles. The sea (it's combed) can grow more than seven meters and, accordingly, will weigh about a ton. Dwarf crocodiles (blunt, it's also West African) grow to a maximum of 1.9 meters, and he will gain weight to 32 kg (maximum - 80 kg). Crocodiles are animals with pronounced sexual dimorphism, males grow much faster and become much larger than females. And the carcass weighing more than a ton grows from a baby 20 cm in size.

Observations on the size of crocodiles and their weight are hampered by behavioral features and inaccessibility of reptile habitats.

Reliable are only observations of crocodiles in captivity. The largest crocodile that has ever been seen is a hybrid of a combed and Siamese crocodile named Yai on one of the farms in Thailand. Its length is 6 meters, weight - 1114 kg.

The length of the largest crocodile caught alive - 6.17 meters, weight - 1075 kg (Philippines).

How many live crocodiles

It is difficult to determine the age of a crocodile with a high probability. The usual method adopted a method for measuring platelets in the teeth and bones: once a year, when the climate changes from dry to wet, a new ring appears as a result of a change in the growth rate.

Therefore, almost always about the age of crocodiles speak with an assumed probability. According to such estimates almost all species of crocodiles live from thirty to forty years, although it is believed that large (combed, Nile, marsh, Central American) can live up to 70 years. Some of the largest specimens of crested crocodiles live more than a hundred years.

Crocodile as an animal

The name of the crocodile is usually used to identify all reptiles of the crocodile species. But only representatives of the family of these crocodiles can be strictly attributed to Crocodylinae. Based on this, this article will consider the features of the family crocodile (except for gavial and alligator)

In the world, 24 species of crocodiles are known, divided into 3 families and 8 genera.

The largest family - crocodile, includes three genus - real crocodiles, blunt, gavial.
1 genus - real crocodiles:

• African narrow-lipped;

• Marshy;

• Combed;

• Cuban;

• Nil;

• New Guinea;

• Orinocian;

• Acute;

• freshwater;

• Siamese;

• Philippine;

• Central American.

2 genus - dapple crocodiles. (на латыни - Osteolaemus tetraspis ) - западноафриканский карликовый крокодил. Includes only one representative - a blunt crocodile (in Latin - Osteolaemus tetraspis ) - a West African pygmy crocodile.

3 genus - gavial.

Also has only one representative - Tomistoma schlegelii (false gavial).

African Speckled (Mecistops cataphractus)

Related to endangered species, little studied. Habitat - throughout western western Africa from Lake Tanganyika and Lake Mveru in the east / southeast to the Gambia River in the west. лина до 4 метров (хотя особи более 3-3.5 метра сегодня при наблюдениях не замечены), вес - предположительно до 230 кг. The length of the line is up to 4 meters (although individuals of more than 3-3.5 meters today are not observed during observations), the weight is presumably up to 230 kg.

It feeds mainly on fish, adults can eat turtles and birds, females lay up to 16 large eggs, laying is not guarded, the breeding period is up to 110 days. They live in overgrown rivers, according to estimates, up to 20,000 adults now, the population is constantly decreasing. They live in 10 subpopulations. When asked how many crocodiles Mecistops cataphractus live, scientists can not accurately answer because of insufficient knowledge of the species . Presumptive data of the Red Data Book is 25 years old.

Swamp (Crocodylus palustris)

текущее состояние — около 87 00 особей, увеличение с 1989 года почти на 6000 взрослых крокодилов. It is listed in the Red Book, its habitat is in India, Sri Lanka, Pakistan, Nepal and possibly in Bangladesh, its range extends west to eastern Iran, the current state is about 87 00 individuals, an increase from 1989 to almost 6,000 adults Crocodiles.

выживает в засушливое время или экстремально холодное (до 5 градусов). Dwells in any water bodies, even artificially created, digs burrows along the shores, where it survives in arid times or extremely cold (up to 5 degrees). It feeds on fish, mammals, birds, turtles. In a fight with a leopard often wins. Seen recently in the attack on people, which, according to scientists, indicates an increase in the number.

самок - до 2.45 метра, самцов - до 3.5 метра, вес в среднем от 50 кг у самок и до 250 кг у самцов. It is considered an average species, the average size of a crocodile: females - up to 2.45 meters, males - up to 3.5 meters, weight on average from 50 kg in females and up to 250 kg in males. Weight of a male male can reach up to 400 kg with a length of up to 4.5 meters. In the masonry there may be up to 30 eggs, the breeding period is from 50 to 75 days. It moves well overland, can develop a decent speed - up to 12 km per hour. An interesting feature is the creation of bait for hunting birds. Crocodile puts on the muzzle (and it lies on the water in the horizontal plane) branches of trees. Birds, concerned about the lack of building material for the nests, fly very close to the reptile.

The combed, or marine

The largest species of crocodiles and the most dangerous for humans. The distribution area is along the inner and surrounding waters of Southeast Asia and Australia. This species is most common and most studied.

How many a crocodile living combed, is known most fully, since the study of this species, because of its danger, engaged both hunters and scientists. According to observations, the life span of this species is 50-80 years, although by the studied remains some specimens survived to a hundred years.

The size of the combed crocodile is quite impressive. The maximum of the described - 10 meters, although today - from 5 to 6 meters. Weight up to two tons. On the average - up to 700 kg.

It grows all my life. In the biosystem of its range - the top of the food chain. Adult individuals eat not only fish, small and medium mammals, but also the largest animals, including predators.

According to the research of paleontologists, this species of crocodiles appeared more than 12 million years ago. It is considered very ancient.

The features of the combed crocodile include its ability to move far in seawater. Marked individuals swam up to 500 km from their traditional habitats, using sea currents to preserve their forces.

Scientists define its status as the least vulnerable to extinction.

Cuban (Crocodylus rhombifer)

анесен в Красную Книгу (насчитывается до 5000 взрослых особей , под угрозой исчезновения по причине истребления и гибридизации с узкорылым (как в искусственных, так и в естественных условиях, потомство размножается). Живет на Кубе, относится по размерам к среднемелким (2.3 метра в длину, весом до 40 кг), матерые самцы могут достигать веса до 200 кг при длине до 3,5 метра. It is listed in the Red Book (there are up to 5,000 adult individuals , under threat of extinction due to extermination and hybridization with narrow-leaved (both in artificial and natural conditions, the offspring reproduces.) Lives in Cuba, is sized to medium-sized (2.3 meters in Length, weighing up to 40 kg), males can reach a weight of up to 200 kg at a length of up to 3.5 meters.

One of the most aggressive crocodiles. It moves well overland at a speed of up to 17 km per hour. Females lay up to 60 eggs, the incubation period - up to 70 days. In food eat fish, mammals, birds. People rarely attack humans under natural conditions, it is believed that this is due to their small number. крайне агрессивно по отношению к человеку. In conditions of captivity, behavior is extremely aggressive towards a person.

Nil (Crocodylus niloticus)

This species is considered as aggressive as the comb. The size of the crocodile is slightly less than the ridged. The descriptions indicate a length of up to 6 meters, but to date, existing mothers, depending on the region, can be up to a maximum of 3.5 meters. существует достаточно много, чтобы оценить его вес в среднем. Modern reliable records of how much the crocodile Crocodylus niloticus weighs , there are many enough to estimate its weight on average. Observations show that the weight of the modern Nile crocodile can range from 250 to 350 kg.

His ecclesiastical predilections are known to all the inhabitants of the vast territory of Africa to the south of the Sahara. He prefers fresh water in Africa, but the population noticed it in the coastal waters. He, like the combed crocodile, is the peak of the food chain of his ecosystem, eats everything and has a different weight, which he can reach, jump, grab. The status of the animal is the least dangerous for extinction.

New Guinea (Crocodylus novaeguineae)

Relatively small of these crocodiles. According to the research, DNA is recognized as a close relative of the Philippine, but is separated into a separate species. Habitat - internal water areas of the island of New Guinea. Until 1996, was listed in the Red Book with the status of "threat of extinction", then with an assessment - "the least concern." Like all crocodiles, it was destroyed in the area of the fifties and sixties of the last century because of valuable skin. In 1970, after the adoption of the program of measures for protection, the number was restored to 1996 for the natural continuation of the population. Now they, according to various estimates, up to 50 thousand.

Crocodylus novaeguineae — от 2.7 метра у женских особей до 3 ,5 метра у самцов. The size of the crocodile Crocodylus novaeguineae is from 2.7 meters in females to 3 , 5 meters in males. The measured body weight is 294.5 kg.

The New Guinean crocodile is divided into two populations - northern and southern. The lifestyle (especially the masonry) of crocodiles in them is slightly different. In the northern population, the nest is built on water from plants, in the southern population - more often on land.

для разных жизненных ситуаций, что позволяет им «общаться». The New Guinean crocodile is the most vociferous crocodile: both kids and adults release a huge number of sounds for different life situations, which allows them to "communicate."

Orinoco

( Crocodylus intermedius ) имеет статус исчезающего вида в Красной книге. This crocodile ( Crocodylus intermedius ) has the status of a vanishing species in the Red Book. To date, its number is estimated as extremely low to maintain the population - up to a half thousand.

пятидесятые-шестидесятые годы прошлого века после массовой охоты был практически на грани вымирания популяции. In the fifties and sixties of the last century after mass hunting was almost on the verge of extinction of the population. численность немного выросла. In 1970, after the introduction of protection status, the population increased slightly. Exterminated so far, because it has valuable skin. In addition, the local population collects baby crocodiles for the purpose of subsequent sale.

Lives in Venezuela and Colombia ( the Orinoco River basin), prefers fresh lakes and rivers.

The size of the crocodile is quite impressive - up to 5.2 meters (males), females are much smaller - up to 3.6 meters. In connection with a small degree of study (because of the lack of the actual individuals themselves), there is a problem in determining the mass. How much does the crocodile Crocodylus intermedius weigh , is known from hunters, the average weight of a male is 380 kg, females - 225 kg.

кладке максимум 70 яиц. In the masonry there are a maximum of 70 eggs. The mother not only protects the eggs for two and a half months before hatching, but also takes care of the babies in the next three years.

There are cases of attacks on people. But due to the small number of the population and the inaccessibility of habitats, this happens rarely.

Prickly

The biggest crocodile of the New World. Lives in fresh and salty lakes, in the mouths of rivers. They move well on the water, populating the islands. The size of the crocodile of this species depends on the population, somewhere less (on average, up to 4 meters), somewhere more (up to 5-6 meters from the mothers). The main food - fish, in contrast to the comb and Nile (similar in size), do not switch to feeding mammals. Seen in attacks on people, although these are rare enough cases.

Freshwater (Crocodylus johnsoni)

It inhabits the rivers of Australia, does not enter the sea and river estuaries, being afraid of being caught by a combed (sea) crocodile. It feeds on fish and small vertebrates. The average size is up to 3 meters, in the population in northern Australia, the size is smaller. It is not dangerous for a person, since the force of compression of his jaws is weak enough. How many Crocodiles Crocodylus johnsoni live in captivity (in particular, in the Australian Zoo) is known exactly - up to twenty years, although supposedly individual individuals can exist and grow to a hundred years or more.

Siamese (Crocodylus siamensis)

Индонезии, Брунее, в Восточной Малайзии, южной части Индокитая. He lives in Indonesia, Brunei, in East Malaysia, southern Indochina. Populations of crocodiles living in all countries of the region, total only 5000 individuals. It is listed in the Red Book. Special conservation programs have been successfully implemented in Camoge and Thailand. The maximum size of this crocodile is 3 meters, although in hybridization with a combed one - up to 4 meters. It feeds on fish and small vertebrates.

Filipino (Crocodylus mindorensis)

Disappearing species, total 200 adult individuals. The size is up to three meters. It feeds on fish and small mammals. Previously considered a subspecies of the New Guinean crocodile, it is now isolated as a separate species.

Central American (Crocodylus moreletii)

Lives in the tropical forests of Central America. The sizes of males in today's conditions are up to 2.7 m (previously according to the results of hunting - up to 4.5 m and weighing up to 400 kg). In cannibalism recently not seen, an explanation for this - the remoteness of habitats. It feeds on fish, reptiles and mammals.

Buried crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis) - West African pygmy crocodile

It grows up to 1.8 meters (maximum), weight from 18 to 32 kilograms (maximum - 80 kg), meets alone or in pairs, lives in burrows or hollow trees tilted close to the water. (ему это нужно для защиты от поедающих его крупных хищников) , с темными пятнами на спине и по бокам, с желтым брюхом. This heavily armored crocodile (he needs it to protect against large predators eating it) , with dark spots on his back and sides, with a yellow belly. 9 -и метров) он просто крошка, считается самым маленьким крокодилом в мире (по размерам схож с гладколобым кайманом) . In comparison with the largest combed crocodile (up to 9 meters), he is just a baby, is considered the smallest crocodile in the world (similar in size to a smooth-billed caiman) .

Refers to poorly studied species. According to the study, the crocodile population is slowly decreasing due to changes in the ecosystem of habitats (deforestation, approaching human habitats). It is listed in the Red Book with the status of a little vulnerable.

Lives in the western part of Africa. Prefers fresh water. He leads a nocturnal life. Digs deep holes, and often their entrance is below the water level.

In the laying, there are usually 10 eggs (sometimes up to 20 eggs).

Tomistoma schlegelii (false gavial)

Lives in Indonesia, Malaysia, Vietnam. Prefers slow rivers, swampy lakes. Lives among thickets or on drifting islands from vegetation. The species of false Gavials is listed in the Red Book with the status "under the threat of extinction. The number of all populations is not more than 2500 adults. The size of males of this species can reach up to 6 meters. Because of the elongated muzzle got its name - gavial. A narrow long muzzle is the result of food predilections, mostly soft mammals and reptiles. ей. In recent years, there have been several cases of attacks on people .