Crocodiles inhabit our planet already 250 million years.They survived the dinosaurs and other ancient animals, as were able to adapt to changes in living conditions.The evolution of these reptiles has meant that they have become major amphibious predators.Frightening and at the same time attracted the attention of a crocodile.Where he lives and what he eats predator cover in this article.
Why crocodiles there so long
All these many millions of years crocodiles lived in the tropics and subtropics, having settled in the reservoirs of fresh water.Since the habitat for a long time remained virtually unchanged, crocodiles have not changed since ancient times.After the huge dinosaurs and other prehistoric predators became extinct crocodiles remained dangerous enemies, and they became masters of their habitat.New predators of warm-blooded animals, such as lions, tigers, leopards, and so on had a different environment and could not destroy crocodiles.And those, in turn, being strongly tied to the water bodies were not able to expand their holdings.
most frightening and deadly crocodiles to become enemies of people.Reptiles killed for two main reasons.First - fear bound with strong armor predator with a huge toothy maw.The second reason for Mercantile.Crocodile skin has become very valuable material for the manufacturing of shoes, handbags and other leather products.His contribution to the decline in the population of crocodiles have some people who eat meat and eggs of reptiles as food.Where are the crocodiles and what they eat?This question is being asked all the children to see for the first time this reptile.
Who is the crocodile?
Currently, all the crocodiles are summarized in three families:
- These crocodiles.
- Gators.
- gavials.
Caymans zoologists considered as one of the species of alligators.Total known and described 23 species of crocodiles.They each have their habitats and feeding system.It has long interested scientists crocodile - where he lives as multiplies and carries a danger man.All these issues are regularly asking, and to get answers, had to watch the animals for a long time.
These different reptiles
differ representatives of different families from each other above all a form of face and teeth.In these crocodiles is narrow and elongated snout, the fourth tooth of the lower jaw visible when the mouth is closed.Alligators and caimans head is broad and oval, when the mouth is closed the teeth can not be seen as closing the upper jaw.Gavials distinguishes very thin and elongated snout.There are other minor differences such as the length of the teeth, the shape and location of the flaps of skin and so forth.
body crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gavials far from perfect, like all amphibians and fish.He was not able to maintain the thermal regime of the body.All of these reptiles can only live in a hot climate and warm water.The heat balance of the body they support by immersion in water or come ashore to bask in the sun.Salt metabolism of these reptiles developed very poorly, so they live in fresh water.Soleobmennye cancer is only at present crocodiles.The process of removing salts through the tear glands called "crocodile tears."
breeding and feeding
Most of the time spend crocodiles in the water, but the clutch of eggs in a nest made on the bank.Breathe atmospheric air through the nostrils.Powerful jaws filled with crocodiles and large sharp teeth, but chew crocodile can not.He is able to carry off the water a very large animal, drown it, and then detach from the carcass chunks and swallow them whole.Reptiles are very voracious, but they can go without food for a long time, because life processes have slowed.Yet Crocodiles are patient hunters and ruthless killers.They are capable of a long time to wait patiently for prey, quietly and silently sneak up on her, and then the rapid roll to grab her and hold his jaws as long as she does not die.Do not disdain carrion crocodiles and, for that they are sometimes called sweepers reservoirs.
where you can meet crocodiles?
Features of behavior, nutrition and development of reptiles is determined by where a crocodile lives in a zone inhabited.
saltwater crocodile - the only one of the species that can live in saltwater oceans and seas.It is spread over the vast territory - from the southern coast of Asia to the shores of Australia.It can be seen off the coast of India, in the islands of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, in northern Australia.This is the largest crocodile reaches a length of 6 meters or more and weighs about 1 ton.Feeds animals, fish, that is, any representatives of the animal world, which will attract his attention.There are attacks on white sharks, large animals, including horses, tigers and so on.Cases saltwater crocodile attacks on humans.Now that you know the difference from the rest of the crocodile, where he lives and what he eats.
Mississippi alligator inhabits the southeastern United States.Especially a lot of these reptiles is found in the Florida swamps.He lives only in fresh water.It feeds all living beings who live nearby.Snakes, turtles, fish, birds and small mammals are included in the diet of its power.Hungry Alligator can come close to people's homes and attack small dogs and small pets.Mississippi alligator is able to dig a small pond.On the banks of ponds females make nests and lay their eggs.When cool weather gators lose their activity and are half asleep.Males are larger than females, reaching lengths of up to 4-4.5 meters.People carefully go through the places inhabited by crocodiles.
What country believe these animals as sacred?Earlier the people of Egypt with trepidation treat these animals.Today the situation has changed - predators trying to get round.
Crocodile fisher
gharial lives only in the rivers of the Indian subcontinent.The only species that have survived to our time, called the Ghanaian gavials.The other no more.In gavials elongated snout, very long jaw with more teeth.This allows them to effectively hunt for fish.Gharial reaches a length of 4.5 meters, is located in the mouth of almost 100 teeth.But despite the large size, it does not attack large animals and humans, since, thanks to the jaws of the device, but rather a fisherman than a hunter.Of all the reptiles gharial crocodile squad spends more than any other time in the water, and sometimes even manages to acquire seashells.In addition to fish, he can eat also small animals and carrion.
For the man is not a dangerous crocodile.Where does this animal, there can often find small villages, people are not afraid of this neighborhood.
All members of the family of crocodile, existed on Earth for millions of years, they have found their niche in the animal world.As predators, they perform their function techs reservoirs and coastal space.They clear their territory of the sick and weak animals, as well as on their decaying corpses.Crocodiles and alligators are not expanding their holdings due to the capture of new territories and vital spaces.They fight with other predators are random and occur mainly at the waterhole.Victory or defeat in these battles does not mean redistribution of territory.But the life and survival of crocodiles is now dependent only on the person.Natural enemies of them in nature.People do not like to be in places where crocodiles live.The Americas is inhabited by these animals, many people see in these existing objects for profit.Their skin brings a good income.But those who are not connected with the crocodile profit, trying not to disturb this predator.
