2. THE CROCODILIAN DIET
Opportunistic killers
Essentially, croc’s eat whatever they can
come by or is most plentiful in thier habitat
range.
Known to eat mammals, birds, reptiles and
fish; they are also known to eat each other
(given the rare occasion). (Bob
Strauss, Sept, 29 2011)
3. CONTINUED...
Young Croc’s diet consists solely of
fish, crabs and small birds.
Primarily consume predatory fish
Infrequent hunter of larger mammals and
even less frequent is it's killing of humans.
4. THE HUNT CONTINUES...
Most crocs hunt fish by herding them towards
the shallower banks of a river using it's body
and tail, then consume then with quick jerking
sideways jestures of the head.
Typically crocodiles have between 64-68 cone
shaped teeth. However they are not able to
chew due to the prehistoric arrangement of thier
teeth.(Supersize Crocs, Nov. 2008)
http://youtu.be/Wog-piUEWc0
6. THE HUNT CONTINUES
Swallows their prey whole, or with larger
victims it bites through them and then eats
them in chunks.
Hence the reason croc’s hunt fish and
smallers animals primarily becasue it is less
work to digest.
Crocodiles are also scavengers and will feast
on an easy meal (already dead prey) given
the chance.
7. THE CROCODILIAN ANATOMY
Unlike most vertebrates, Croc’s have a four
chambered heart similar to birds and
mammals.
Also, they have a two chambered stomach.
In one chamber food is grinded up and
digested, and the other is used to remove
nutrients from the food.(Tom Meding, Oct, 19
2010)
8. CONTINUED...
The crocodilian stomach has the most acidic
digestive system of any animal. This allows
them to consume and digest
bones, horns, as well as shells.
The jaw muscle of crocs are extremley
strong which allow the to close with
incredible force, however, those muscle are
remarkably weak wen trying to open the jaw.
9. CONTINUED...
Crocodiles’ tails act as a motor when it
comes to swimming providing a main thrust
of movement.
Because of the shape and structure of the
croc’s body, it makes an ―S‖ shape while
gliding through water.
10. CONTINUED...
Unlike passive flap-like valves in most
vertebrates, crocs contain a teeth-like clog
valve triggered by adrenalin.
When the croc is calm and relaxed the valve
closes, and when the crocs is excited they
open.
This allows crocs to dive for hours and not
have to surface to breathe.
11. ...CONTINUED...
The palatal valved (located in the croc’s
throat) prevents water from entering the
croc’s throat, esophagus, and trachea.
A croc’s mouth is not water tight when closed
and water easily enterswhen underwater.
This allows the croc to open its mouth while
underwater. Primarily useful in capturing prey
while submerged in water.
13. THE CROCODILIAN RANGE
Crocodiles are found mainly in the
lowland, humid tropics of the Northern and
Southern hemispheres.
Occur in most of Africa south of the
Sahara, Madagascar, India, Sri
Lanka, Southeast Asia, the East
Indie, Northern Australia, Mexico and Central
America, the West Indies, and Northern
South America.(Adam Britton, Aug 1 2001)
14. THE RANGE CONTINUED...
Throughout their range, crocodile
populations have declined as human
occupation and land use change has
reduced their habitat.
Many crocodilian species have been greatly
reduced by overhunting for their valuable
skins—which provide leather for
handbags, shoes, belts, and other articles.
15. THE CROCODILIAN BEHAVIOR
Crocodiles are mostly nocturnal animals.
They are predators and spend most of their
time in the water occasionally making trips
above water and over land.
Many crocodiles vocalize to communicate.
Young croc’s use squeaking and grunting
sounds, and adults typically use
grunts, growls, and hiss sounds.
16. CONTINUED...
Crocodiles can attack very quickly when
attempting to catch their prey. There have
been cases, in fact, where crocodiles have
attacked and killed sharks in the water.
Although on rare occasions crocodiles have
encounterd and devoured humans, it has
occured with such infrequency that we
cannot identify the species as ―man-eaters‖.
18. THE CROCODILIAN ECOLOGY
The crocodilian form is adapted to an
amphibious way of life.
Crocodiles are inhabitants of
swamps, lakes, and rivers. Some species
(The estuarine or ―saltwater crocodile‖) make
their way to brackish water or to the sea.
19. THE CROCODILIAN REPRODUCTION
Crocodiles are sexually dimorphic, and
adult males are larger than females.
Croc’s signal each other using changes in
body profile,as well as, touch, and
vocalization.
Copulation happens in the water.
20. CONTINUED...
All crocodiles lay hard-shelled eggs, which
may weigh 50–160 grams individually.
A female lays typically between 12–48 eggs
per nest, depending upon her age, size, and
species.
There are two main types of nesting known
to be used by crocodiles.
21. CONTINUED...
Some croc’s dig a hole in the ground, place
the eggs in, and re-fill it with dirt. (The Nile
Crocodile Region)
Others build a mound of plant material and
soil, deposit the eggs into the mound, and
use the suns heat and the decaying
vegitation to help aid the development of the
embryo.
