About: Crocodile

Species of Crocodiles:

1. Gharial
2. Alligators
3. Mugger
4. Nile Crocodile
5. Yacare Caiman
6. Dwarf Crocodile
7. Tomistoma
8. Saltwater crocodile

Details of Crocodiles:

Gharials

Along with the tiger and snow leopard, the gharial is one of the most endangered animals in the world. Its long, thin jaw are ideal fish traps. Until the early 1970s, hunters and poachers killed thousands for their skins. Adult males look different from females, because the male has a "Ghara" on his snout
Appetite: Fishes (small and medium)
Nativity: Indian Sub-Continent

Alligators

One of the less aggressive crocodilians, even known to be pets. Like some other species, can be trained to some extent. Known to hibernate during winter, when they stick their nose out of frozen pools and sleep. Once heavily exploited for skins and meet, but now so numerous that some hunting is allowed.
Appetite: Tortoise, birds, Fish
Nativity: South-East United states

Mugger

Mugger (also called as marsh crocodiles) are highly adaptable animals and live in a variety of habitats. The average adult size is 2.5 meters and life span of 60 years
Appetite: Rats, Frogs, monkeys and Fish
Nativity: Indian Sub-continent, Costal Pakistan and Bangladesh

Nile crocodile

A giant among crocs, growing to 6 meters. Because of their size the nile and the saltwater crocodile are the main species involved in human-croc conflict. Is being successfully bred in farms for its skin. This has reduced pressure on wile populations.
Appetite: Hippo, Wilder beast, Deer.
Nativity: Africa

Yacare Caiman

A small species, grows to 2.5 meters. Like all caimans, this is a mound nester. Lives in large numbers especially in the dry season when water bodies dry up. Like many other crocs, they are known to fish in groups.
Appetite: snails, snakes and fishes
Nativity: South Africa

Dwarf Crocodile

A nocturnal rain forest dweller. Its biological name is "Osteolaemus", which means bony throat. The hard scales on the throat, discourage predators. They help in another way as well. Because of these, the skin is not valuable. However the meat is popular. Being small, this crocs are easy to catch and keep alive for fresh meet.
Appetite: Frogs and Fish
Nativity: West Africa

Tomistoma

One of the biggest crocodiles, they grow to 6 meters. Not much is known about their biology because of their forest habitat and shy nature.
Appetite: Birds, fishes and frogs
Nativity: scattered in Malaysia and Indonesia.

Saltwater Crocodile

Will lay about 60 eggs and will hatch in around 60 to 90 days.
Appetite: fish, birds and Kangaroo.
Nativity: Coastal areas of East Asia.

Crocodile Nests

Birds have many different types of nests. Crocodiles have two types: Mound nest and hold nest. Mugger, Gharial and Orinoco crocs are hole nesters while salt water crocs and alligators are mound nesters. Both types of nests require hard work by the female. The hole nest means digging with her hind feet, sometimes dry, hard soil. The mound nest means sweeping up earth, humus and vegetation. After she lays thee 20-40 eggs, the female covers them up and stays close to the nest. Predators like wild pig, jackals are chased away. In some species males also take part in protecting the eggs and hatchlings.
Once the eggs are laid, the female stays near the nest and protects them from predators. The egg take about 60 days to develop fully. Then one day, the hatchlings are ready to enter the world. They call from inside the egg.
Hatchling crocs are born with one egg tooth at the end of snout. This falls off later. It is sharp and helps them break out of the egg. But this isn't always enough. Often one of the parent rolls the egg in its mouth to break the shell. The hatchling is carried to the water by the parent. The babies spend many months together. The pod or crèche stays near the water's edge, within sight of the watchful parent.