10 Interesting Crocodile Facts
To help you gain more insight about crocodiles, here some interesting crocodile facts. Crocodile is a reptile that belongs to Crocodylidae family and Crocodilia order. Found inhabiting the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia, it looks like a huge lizard. Probably the most formidable of all reptiles, a crocodile has as many as 23 species, with the largest being that of ‘Saltwater Crocodile’ and smallest being that of ‘Dwarf Crocodile’. The average age of crocodiles is around 50 to 60 years; however, some of them have been known to live as long as 130 years.
1. Some populations like the ancient Egyptians had a great respect for crocodiles. Some tribes in New Guinea worshiped the crocodile as a totem god and scarred their skin in a very painful procedure to make themselves look more like crocodiles. Some Australian Aborigine tribes were expert in crocodile hunting, while for other tribes the crocodile hunt was taboo. This is the 1st crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : the ancient Egyptians had a great respect for crocodiles
2. Crocodile skin is considered one of the finest and best materials, being soft and durable. In many tribal societies, crocodile skin is used as a high status fashion symbol. But only the skin on the belly of the crocodile has these qualities. The skin on the back of a crocodile is covered in bones also known as osteoderms. These osteoderms can deflect arrows, spears and even bullets. This is the 2nd crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : Crocodile skin is considered one of the finest and best materials
Crocodile Facts : The largest crocodile species is the saltwater crocodile
4. Surprisingly crocodiles closest relatives are birds. Both have four-chambered hearts just like mammals. This is unlike any other reptile. However, the crocodiles heart behaves like a three-chambered reptilian heart, enabling them to stay underwater more. This is the 4th crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : Surprisingly crocodiles closest relatives are birds
5. To “cry crocodile tears” is a common expression which is used for depicting fake sadness. This myth originates from the idea that crocodiles weep while eating humans. Believe it or not, crocodiles really do tear up while feasting. However their teary eyes have nothing to do with remorse. Their eyes can froth and bubble during the feeding. Air pushed through the sinuses could mix with tears in the animal’s tear glands and the whole content could be emptied into the eye resulting the “fake” remorse. This is the 5th crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : cry crocodile tears
6. Each crocodile jaw carries 24 sharp teeth meant to grasp and crush, not to chew. Which is why they tend to swallow small stones which grind the food inside their stomachs. Their teeth are continuously replaced along the crocodile’s life. Crocodiles can exert enormous pressure when closing their jaws, but the force for opening them is so weak that a man could hold it closed with little effort. This is the 6th crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : crocodile jaw carries 24 sharp teeth
7. Many times crocodiles stay on the river banks with their mouths wide open. It may look aggressive but it is actually their way of cooling down. They sweat through their mouths. This is the 7th crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : crocodiles stay on the river banks with their mouths wide open
8. If you turn on a lantern at night in waters populated by crocodiles, you will see pairs of shiny red dots. These are crocodile eyes which have a layer called tapetum behind their retina. These contain crystals that reflect light and make the crocodile have night vision. This is the 8th crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : pairs of shiny red dots
9. Crocodiles can swim just with the help of their powerful tail with 40 km (25 mile) per hour, and can stay underwater 2-3 hours. On land they can burst on short rapid races, but get tired very quickly, They can also execute jumps out of the water which are several meters long, this is our 9th crocodile facts.
Crocodile Facts : Can swim just with the help of their powerful tail with 40 km
10. The first crocodiles appeared 240 million years ago and lived along side their relatives, the dinosaurs. That’s why even today, crocodiles have longer hind limbs than fore limbs, they can live up to 80 years. This is the last crocodile facts in our list.
Crocodile Facts : The first crocodiles appeared 240 million years ago
Do You know those crocodile facts? Don’t hesitate to share other facts about crocodile if you know any of crocodile facts.
