“Crocodile” is a general name given to any of  the ‘true crocodiles’, ‘caimans’, ‘alligators’ and ‘gharilas’.  In this text we discuss the ‘true crocodiles’; and we will discuss each of the other kinds in this group under its individual name.

Special Features:
Though they are reptiles, crocodiles are more closely related to ‘birds’ and extinct ‘dinosaurs’ than they are to the other reptiles like snakes, tortoises!

Crocodiles are believed to be living without many physical changes for over 200 million years.

The scales on the upper body are so thick that they are bullet-proof!

The sides and the abdomen (stomach part) are very soft.

Crocodiles look clumsy on land, but they seem invincible in water.

Crocodiles are eaten in some parts of the world, but not as an important food source.

Crocodiles were worshiped and kept as pet animals by the people of several ancient civilizations, especially the Egyptians.

In the present world, crocodiles are kept on farms for their skin which is made into fine expensive leather bags, purses, wallets, belts, shoes, etc.

Besides making a lot of different sounds for different purposes, crocodiles shake in water in such a way that the water close to their bodies makes small bubbling ripples, like boiling water.   [The purpose of doing this is yet to be investigated.]

Crocodiles have sharp teeth and strong jaws with which they can break a hard bone like a twig, but they cannot stick their tongues out!!