According to Staff Writers, research has shown that crocodiles have the amazing ability to adapt to their environment “all whilst living alongside the dinosaurs 235 to 65 million years ago.” Crocodiles were able to adapt to their environment due to, in ancient times, by acting like dogs on land roaming amongst the dinosaurs and others lived in the open waters feeding like killer whales. The inheritance of their lower jaw from the killer whale, allows the crocodile to break down bones from bigger mammals, such as wild boars and wildebeests. The main characteristic traits that help a crocodile survive in their physiological environment are their vision, hearing and their feeding habits. Crocodiles tend to live close to shallow coastal bodies of water in warm climate areas throughout the world. Often compared to the alligator, researchers have noticed the distinction between the two. Alligators have more of a round shaped nose, while a crocodile has a V shaped nose with their teeth protruding out the sides of their mouth. An adult crocodile can grow as long as 16 feet and weigh over a ton. In most rare cases an adult male croc can grow up to 18 feet long. Their body is similar to a lizard, with a long tail and four stumpy legs that help them swim in water. Their tail helps them maneuver in water as well, but can be used as a weapon when killing an animal. Crocodiles spend majority of their lives in the water but they can also travel on land, usually to mate or nesting their eggs. They are able to rise on all four legs and move around on land. They can travel up to 10mph on grassy lands. Crocodiles have over 65 razor sharp teeth that break up their food. Crocodiles are not able to chew their food, so they would grip their prey and thrash around until able to swallow. If a large mammal is caught, two or more crocs would go into what researchers call a “death roll” to dismember their food. Adult crocodiles often feed on antelope, fish, birds and other reptiles. They strike with such violence when they grab ahold of their prey and drag them under water until they drown. Younger crocodiles tend to eat on much smaller animals such as, fish, snakes and insects until they are big enough to hunt larger animals. Surprisingly, Crocs have a great sense of hearing in and out of water, almost comparable to that of a bird or other land mammals. Their ears are located very closely behind their eyes. When hunting for prey, they often submerge themselves in water with just their eyes and nose exposed to easily listen for approaching animals or sometimes, even humans. They would usually close their ears with a small flesh of skin to protect their inner ears from damage. Crocodiles would rely on their hearing especially when hunting animals in low to dark times. Once underwater they would wait for vibrations to easily feel for how close their prey is.
A crocodile has one of the best visions compared to most reptilians. Their eyes are positioned almost directly on top of their head to help them sink lower into the water to sneak upon their prey. They can see 270 degrees around, almost a full circle. They can intensify their vision like binoculars, up to 25 degrees to help judge their distance between them and their prey or enemy. Unlike a human’s eye, at night our eyes dilate to a full circle to help more light in, but a crocodile eye shrink into a slit to help protect the retina.
Once believe to dominant predators, Crocs have now become an endangered species. They are being hunted for their hides, to make handbags, shoes, belts and other luxury items being sold. In some countries they are even hunted for their meat. Crocodiles are considered a delicacy in most parts of the world.