Before you decide which is the largest crocodile, let's define what we call animals crocodiles.Crocodiles squad consists of two families - real crocodiles and alligators.The last of the zoological classification adopted worldwide, crocodiles are not, but in appearance, lifestyle and habits they - are the real crocodiles.In other words, it is a de jure alligators and de facto - crocodiles.What's the difference between here and there?
Alligators differ from crocodiles snout shape (wider and "dull"), the structure of the jaws, and especially water-salt metabolism.With the ability to rid the body of excess salt (the famous "crocodile tears) crocodiles have the ability, unlike alligators live not only in fresh water, but in the salt.
dealt with the nuances of terminology, let us consider what it - the biggest crocodile.A recognized leader of the size of the world is the saltwater crocodile, whose range - South East Asia, northern Australia and the numerous islands and the whole archipelago, which are located between the two continents.
largest crocodile has been caught recently in the Philippines in September 2011.Voracious creature was nicknamed Lolong, before it hit the net, I managed to eat a local resident, and the second is officially listed as missing.On crocodile hunted for three weeks.At first he did for the trap of fishing nets, but strong reptile broke it into pieces, and slipped away.The second time, local farmers who Lolong regularly dragged the cattle produced a network of metal cables.Against a metal even the great dragon was powerless.After the capture of the reptile measured and weighed.Its length was equal to 617 centimeters and weight - one ton.However, in captivity Lolong lived long, just one and a half years, and died at the age of fifty (according to experts) years.For crocodiles, which live for a hundred years, it is the blossoming of vitality.According to the staff of the zoo, where Lolonga determined to stay, cause of death was abnormally cool weather, stay in the area for a long time.
Large crocodiles caught before.The biggest crocodile in the world, whose capture was officially recorded, was caught in Bengal in the late nineteenth century.It had a length of 9.9 meters.
The world's largest crocodile (estuarine) because of the ability to live in salt water can go for long sea trips, thanks to which he has occupied the south-east Asian islands and the northern coast of Australia.Due to the immense strength and cantankerous character (it is the only crocodiles are regularly attacked people), he has the nerve to break up even sharks that swim carelessly in his hunting grounds are located in the coastal waters of the ocean!
His closest competitor is the Nile crocodile, which reaches almost the same (well, maybe a little smaller) sizes.In the ancient Egyptians named Sebek the deity worshiped in the form of a crocodile.In a time when people in the world was not enough, and a lot of crocodiles, these reptiles have no natural enemies, were huge.According to ancient authors, the biggest crocodile reach a length of twenty cubits Attic (about 12 meters).Later size decreased.The reason for this, no matter how trivial, is that crocodiles do not live to old age.They were killed because of dietary meat and valuable skin.
