Crocs and Gators

Crocks and Gators

Never smile at a crocodile. That's what the song from the movie Peter Pan says. After all, one bit off Captain Hook's hand. Everyone thinks that crocodiles are fierce animals. And, in fact, they are.

Crocodiles and alligators-like snakes, turtles, and lizards-are reptiles. They are members of a group of reptiles called crocodilians. Crocodilians have been on Earth since the age of dinosaurs. They even look a little like some of the dinosaurs from long ago.

Crocodilians spend time on land and in water. They use lungs to breathe. They have thick, scaly skin. Their body temperature does not stay the same like yours does. Instead, it changes with the temperature of the air and water around them. If it is too hot, these reptiles seek cool, shady places.

Crocodilians live mostly in shallow water, swamps, and slow rivers. Most live in fresh water. But there are saltwater crocodiles, too. In fact, the saltwater crocodile may be the biggest reptile. Some reach lengths of over 7 meters (23 ft).

All crocodilians have short legs, and long bodies and tails. The four kinds of crocodilians have different kinds of jaws and teeth. All of them have sharp teeth. Let's meet the different kinds of crocodilians.