
22175 STATE ROUTE 2 MONROE,
WA 98272
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Crocodilians: Order Crocodilia
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Includes: caimans, gharials, crocodiles, and alligators
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Number of Species: 23
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Range: Tropics, subtropics and slightly into temperate zone
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Habitat: semiaquatic
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Characteristics
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All crocodilians have an elongated body, and a short, strong neck.
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They also have short, but powerful limbs and a thick laterally compressed tail which they use as their propeller in the water.
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They have an elongated, robust, well-reinforced skull and massive jaw musculature for holding and crushing prey.
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Bony plates (osteoderms) cover much of their neck, body, and tail.
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Crocodilians are more closely related to birds (also considered reptiles) than other groups of reptiles.
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They are the only non-avian reptiles with true four-chambered hearts.
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A complete secondary palate is also another trait of crocodilians which allows them to have a mouth full of water and breath at the same time.
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Crocodilians are considered the smartest of all reptiles as they are the only ones that have a true cerebral cortex, which allows them to do critical thinking.
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Behavior
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Many of them are ambush predators and wait until potential prey gets within striking distance to strike.
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If prey is too large to swallow in one gulp they will tear off pieces of flesh and bone using their famous death roll.
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They are also scavengers, thereby helping to manage the spread of diseases from dead animals to live ones.
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All crocodilians are semiaquatic and spend much of their time in water, but also bask regularly on the shoreline to heat up.
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Senses
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Crocodilians are very sensitive to sound and are relatively vocal (American alligators are the most vocal of all species) compared to other species of reptiles.
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Eye sight is relatively good which is accompanied by a strong sense of smell to help find carrion.
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Reproduction
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All crocodilians lay eggs (oviparous).
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Most of them provide extensive parental care which is uncommon among reptiles.
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The sex of their offspring is dependent on the temperature of nest. Low nest temperatures produce females and high nest temperatures produce males.
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Unique Threats:
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Hunting for meat and skins used to make clothing and accessories.
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Fun facts:
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Crocodilians have remained mostly unchanged for 200 million years
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The largest of all reptiles is found in this group. The saltwater crocodiles can weigh over 1,000 kg and reach lengths over 20 feet long.
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The only true man-eaters are the Nile and saltwater crocodiles. Alligator are less aggressive and rarely eat people (less than once a year) in the United States which is impressive considering that there are millions of alligators spread out across the Southeastern United States.
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Information/ Care Sheets
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American Alligator
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Dwarf Caiman
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Nile Crocodile