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Interesting Facts About The Crocodile

Updated on May 3, 2013

Crocodiles are among the most interesting animals to walk on this planet and there are so many animal lovers who will consume all the information they can about this amazing animal. On the same note, there are zoologists who spend their lives studying these animals and it is the findings they come up with that is made available to the animal lovers to keep them informed.

General information

A crocodile is classified as a reptile and it is normally found in Australia, Americas, Asia and Africa. The simplest way to describe it to someone who has never seen one is to say that it has the appearance of a giant lizard. As of now, it is said to be the most powerful among reptiles and about 23 species have been discovered so far. Normally, these animals live from between 60 to 70 year but there are those that have been known to hit the 125 year mark. This article contains some interesting facts about this animal.


Size, vision and speed facts

The size if these animals according to the species and the salt water crocodiles are known to be biggest in size. They can extend to as much as 15 feet as far as length is concerned and weigh a crushing 2,000 lbs. On the other hand, the smallest species known are known as dwarf crocodiles. Being hunters, these animals have very good vision. To start with, they have the ability to keep their eyes open while submerged in water. This is what gives them the ability to lurk under water while waiting for prey. When out of the water, the eyes have an adaption to see in the dark. This is made possible by the fact that their vertical pupils have the ability to open wider hence trap more light which enables them to see. On land, the crocodile can run as fast as a human being, and that is a speed of about 27mph. This is helpful when it comes to hunting prey on land.

The mouth is a funny organ as far as the crocodiles are concerned. This is the part that the animal uses to sweat. This is why you will notice crocodiles basking on land with their mouths wide open. Additionally, the mouth becomes a protective organ in that when the young ones are in danger; all the crocodiles do is open their mouths and the young ones enter and hide in a pouch within the mouth. Before this was discovered, the early people that crocodiles ate their young when hungry. Recent research has shown that this is not true and everyone who hears about this fact about a crocodile ends up being so amazed.


Crocodiles are not all about muscle and they use their brains when it comes to underwater issues. To start with, they will go to land and swallow stones to enable them dive deeper into the water to allow them hunt slower moving underwater prey. Once they catch the prey, they don't have to go on land to eat as they have adapted to eat even while underwater. This is because they have throats that are able to keep sea water from being swallowed. To keep from drowning, these animals shut the nostrils while submerged. The crocodile uses its powerful tail to increase the speed of swim and also changing direction when going after prey.

Eating and hunting facts

Crocodiles are among the most well adapted hunters as far as reptiles are concerned. To start with, one jaw houses about 24 teeth that are suited to grasp prey but not to eat by chewing. The stones swallowed to enable them dive deeper as also used to grind the swallowed meat. This means that their teeth get damaged and broken every now and then and therefore they get replaced on a continuous basis. Once it has caught its prey, it does not let go and it pulls the prey into the water to drown it. Once dead, the animal then bites a part of the prey and twists and turns to rip the flesh and then swallows it without swallowing. It is known as one of the most patient of hunters in that it can stay submerged just under the surface of the water lurking for prey for more than 8 hours.

Crocodiles: Here Be Dragons


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  • gavindonst profile imageAUTHOR


    5 years ago

    Thank you!!

  • My Cook Book profile image

    Dil Vil 

    5 years ago from India

    This is great, well written article on crocodiles. Great work!


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