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'''Crocodiles''' and their close relations [[alligator]]s, [[caiman]]s and [[gavial]]s, are a family of predatory, aquatic [[reptile]]s. Crocodiles are found throughout the warm parts of the world - in sub-Saharan Africa, India and South-East Asia, Indonesia and Australia, and throughout tropical America. Until recently Nile crocodiles were also found throughout North Africa, and in Palestine <ref>http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Palestine#Fauna</ref>. The largest Nile and Estuarine crocodiles may grow to 25 or even 30 feet in length, but this is not normal.

'''Crocodiles''' and their close relations [[alligator]]s, [[caiman]]s and [[gavial]]s, form the family Crocodylidae. Crocodiles are found in areas of higher temperature, primarily in sub-Saharan Africa, India and South-East Asia, Indonesia and Australia, and throughout tropical America. Until recently Nile crocodiles were also found throughout North Africa, and in Palestine <ref>http://www.1911encyclopedia.org/Palestine#Fauna</ref>.

In the [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary view]], crocodiles emerged in the late [[triassic]] period from early archosauromorphs, at the same time as [[dinosaur]]s and true [[mammal]]s.

In the [[Theory of evolution|evolutionary view]], crocodiles emerged in the late [[triassic]] period from early archosauromorphs, at the same time as [[dinosaur]]s and true [[mammal]]s.

=== Species of crocodile ===

=== Species of crocodile ===

*Nile crocodile (Africa)

*Nile crocodile ''Crocodylus niloticus'' (Africa)

*American crocodile ([[Caribbean Sea]], including the southern [[United States]])

*American crocodile ''Crocodylus acutus'' ([[Caribbean Sea]], including the southern [[United States]])

*Morelet's crocodile (Central America)

*Morelet's crocodile ''Crocodylus moreletii'' (Central America)

*Cuban crocodile (Cuba)

*Cuban crocodile ''Crocodylus rhombifer'' (Cuba)

*Mugger crocodile (India)

*Mugger crocodile ''Crocodylus palustris'' (India)

*Estuarine crocodile (Australia and South-East Asia)

*Estuarine crocodile ''Crocodylus porosus'' (Australia and South-East Asia)

*Johnstone's crocodile (Australia)

*Johnstone's crocodile ''Crocodylus johnsoni'' (Australia)

*Siamese crocodile (South-East Asia)

*Siamese crocodile ''Crocodylus siamensis'' (South-East Asia)

*Philippine crocodile (Philippines)

*Philippine crocodile ''Crocodylus mindorensis'' (Philippines)

== Habits ==

== Morphology ==

Crocodiles generally capture their prey, often large [[mammal]]s such as [[antelope]]s, by drifting close to them, motionless, pretending to be a floating log, then lunging and dragging their victim underwater, where it is drowned, then left to rot and soften up for later consumption.

The name Crocodile came in Ancient Greece, and means 'lizard'. On external appearance, crocodiles resemble large aquatic lizards. However, Crocodiles, and other members of the family Crocodylidae are among the more biologically complex reptiles. Unlike most other reptiles, the Crocodiles possess a four-chambered heart, a feature mostly shown exclusively in birds and mammals. Other features include a diaphragm-like structure, again seen mostly in birds and mammals, and a cerebral cortex - the part of the brain mostly responsible for self-conciousness and the ability to learn. The crocodile, internally, is closer to that of a bird than to lizards, despite looking strikingly similar to other reptiles.

Crocodiles typically lay their eggs in a mound of rotting vegetation; the mother will guard the nest from marauding [[iguana]]s and other egg-thieves, and solicitously adjust the depth to which the eggs are buried. When the baby crocodiles hatch, she will carry them to the water in her mouth.

 

 

 

Crocodiles typically lay their eggs in a mound of rotting vegetation; the mother will guard the nest from marauding [[iguana]]s and other egg-thieves, and solicitously adjust the depth to which the eggs are buried. When the baby crocodiles hatch, she will carry them to the water in her mouth. Hatchlings are precocial (able to fend for themselves at birth), though they stay with the mother for some time after hatching.

Many crocodiles [[aestivation|aestivate]] during summer.

Many crocodiles [[aestivation|aestivate]] during summer.

== Uses of crocodiles ==

== Crocodile Products ==

Crocodiles are commercially farmed in many places, for their leather, which is made into expensive shoes and handbags, and recently, in Australia, for their meat. Unlike [[alligator]]s, they are not used for wrestling.

Crocodiles are commercially farmed in many places, for their leather, which is made into expensive shoes and handbags, and recently, in Australia, for their meat. In areas where Crocodiles are farmed, there is a strong incentive to protect the natural habitat in order to keep an effecient system where profit is sustained and the crocodile population and local food chains are unharmed.

== Man-eating crocodiles ==

== Danger to Humans ==

Three species, the Nile crocodile of Africa, the Mugger crocodile of India (for whom [[mugging|muggers]] are named) and the Estuarine crocodile of Australia and South-East Asia, have a long history of attacking humans.

Three species, the Nile crocodile of Africa, the Mugger crocodile of India (for whom [[mugging|muggers]] are named) and the Estuarine crocodile of Australia and South-East Asia, have a long history of attacking humans who enter the crocodile habitats.

== Crocodiles in the Bible ==

== Crocodiles in the Bible ==