Crocodiles are Amazing: List of Interesting Facts about Predator Reptiles

Crocodiles belong to the short list of animals, the ancestors of which lived in era of dinosaurs. And regardless numerous twists and turns that planet Earth went through in over 250 million years, the managed to survive and evolve. As a result, these reptiles are perfectly adapted to their environment and their tough nature can be explained by the millions of years of evolution.

We have decided to make a short list of interesting facts about crocodiles and things that every person should know about alligators.


7 Quick Facts about Crocodiles and Physical Characteristics of Alligators

#1.The largest and the smallest of the species

The largest crocodile is Crocodylus porosus or the saltwater crocodile. The habitat of this animal spans over the territory of several countries, including India, northern Australia and the Islands of Fiji. With the body length over 23.0 ft (7.0 m), these fearless predators can boast the weight of 2,200–2,600 lbs (1,000-1,200 kg).

The title of the smallest extant crocodile species belongs to Osteolaemus tetraspis or the African dwarf crocodile. These reptiles reach the length of up to 6.2 ft (1.9 m) and may be more encountered on the land, rather than in the water.

#2. Why do crocodiles swallow stones?

The tarrying jaw of a crocodile holds 24 teeth but such jaw doesn’t allow the animals to chew food. As a result, crocodiles swallow their prey whole or in chunks that it managed to tear away. But in order to make digestion more effective, crocodiles swallow small rocks, which help to grind the contents of the stomach.

These swallowed stones have double purpose – they are also used ballast and make submerging in the water more efficient.

Crocodile’s teeth can grow back and over the span of its life an animal will go through up to 60 times. And the last fact that you should know about crocodile’s jaw, the muscles that open the jaw are not as strong that those, used for closing it, as a result, you can hold the mouth of this animal closed with the strength of your one hand.

#3. Climbing skills

While crocodiles are far better adapted for fast movements in the water, rather than on the ground, these natural predators have a very unusual trait, when it comes to spending time on land – they are good at climbing trees and they do so.

Various scientific observations in Australia, Africa and America, helped zoologists spot different species of crocodiles climbing the trees, up to the height of 6 feet (about 2 meters).

While 6 feet may sound like a lot for an aquatic reptile, some locals in Africa claim that these animals can climb much higher - up to 30 feed (10 meters). If you think about it, such a climb may seem realistic for young crocodiles but larger species can ascend the tree trunk, only if it is leaned against something. 

Today there is a scientific theory, that such animal behavior is a result of a desire to explore territory for prey or enjoy the warm sunlight.

#4. When do crocodiles cry?

One an ancient anecdote states that crocodile cry, when they are consuming their victims. But indeed it’s not some sort of predator animal guilt. Crocodiles do release tears, when eating, and it was experimentally confirmed by scientists but the reasons of such action are purely functional: crocodiles use their special glands, which are located near the eyes, to rid of excess salts from in their bodies.

#5. Moths that drink tears

Nature is full of wonders and mysteries that are usually hard to believe. Did you know that there are species of moths that increase the water balance in their bodies by sucking the tears of sleeping animals.

For example, at night Hemiceratoides hieroglyphica, a moth from Madagascar drinks with tears in sleeping birds and Mecistoptera griseifusa are known to do the same but with crocodiles and larger animals.

#6. Sacred animals

In Burkina Faso, an independent country in #West Africa, there is a Sabu village with a very unusual pond. This pond is called the sacred crocodile pond, the inhabitants of which are treated as sacred animals.

Locals have a custom of feeding these crocodiles with chicken, in return these predator animals behave like domesticated pets and let local citizens and tourists pet themselves.

#7. Swimming speed

Crocodiles are excellent swimmers. While being underwater for over three hours, this reptile can also reach speeds of up to 25 mph (40 km/h). When needed, an average crocodile can also jump out of the water, 6.5 ft (2 meters) in height.

Other quick facts about crocodiles and alligators:

- Today crocodiles face serious threat due to the special qualities of their skin. The crocodile skin is considered to be best material for leather products and only the belly skin has the elastic and soft properties that many products, which are made of skin, require.

- In ancient Egypt, crocodiles were considered to be sacred animals.

- If you ever see a crocodile lying around with an open mouth – don’t treat it as a sign of aggression. They have do not have sweat glands and release extra body heat in such a bizarre way.

- Here is a little known, but very unusual fact – musk, an aromatic substances, which is produced by crocodile musk glands, was widely used in the production of perfumes.

- Crocodiles that are kept in captivity tend to grow faster – they reach the body length of 5 feet (1.5 meters) in about a year, while it takes up to three years to reach the same size in the wild environment because in the wild the food supply is not always steady or available at all.