Crocodiles appeared more than 83 million years ago. This detachment, belonging to the class of reptiles, has at least 15 species of real crocodiles, 8 species of alligators. Most of them grow to 2-5.5 m. But there are very large ones, such as a combed crocodile, which reaches 6.3 m, as well as very small species, the maximum length of which is from 1.9 to 2.2 m.
The smallest crocodiles in the world, although not large by the standards of this detachment, can still scare you with their size, because their length is comparable to the growth of a tall person. Read more about each of them in the article.
List
- 10. Australian narrow-crocodile, 3m
- 9. New Guinean crocodile, 2.7 m
- 8. African narrow-crocodile, 2.5 m
- 7. Slicker Cayman Schneider, 2.3 m
- 6. Paraguayan Cayman, 2 m
- 5. Wide Cayman, 2 m
- 4. Spectacled cayman, 2 m
- 3. Chinese alligator, 2 m
- 2. Smooth Cayman Cuvier, 1.6 m
- 1. Dumb crocodile, 1.5 m
10. Australian narrow-crocodile, 3m
It is considered small because males reach a maximum length of two and a half - three meters, for this they need from twenty-five to thirty years. Females are no more than 2.1 m. In some areas, individuals were found whose length was 4 m.
It is brown in color with black stripes on the back. Not dangerous for humans. Australian narrow-crocodile can bite hard, but the wound is not fatal. It is found in freshwater in Australia. It is believed that he can live for about 20 years.
9. New Guinean crocodile, 2.7 m
This species lives on the island of New Guinea. His males are quite large, reaching 3.5 m, and females - about 2.7 m. They are gray with a brown tint, the tail is dark in color, with black spots.
New Guinean Crocodile lives in fresh water, swampy lowlands. Young crocodiles eat small fish and insects, those that are older - snakes, birds, small mammals.
Active at night, sleeps in holes in the afternoon, and only occasionally crawls out to bask in the sun. The local population preys on it for the meat they eat and the skin from which they make various products.
8. African narrow-crocodile, 2.5 m
They call him narrow-winged because he has a very narrow muzzle, he lives in Central and West Africa, hence the second part of the name. His body color can be different, from brown to green with a gray tint or almost black. There are black spots on the tail that help him hide.
Average body length African narrow-crocodile from 2.5 m, but in some individuals up to 3-4 m, occasionally they grow to 4.2 m. Males are slightly larger. They live about 50 years. For life, choose rivers with dense vegetation and lakes.
They feed on small water insects, adults eat shrimp and crabs, fish, snakes, frogs. But the main food is fish, a large narrow muzzle is ideally suited for its catch.
7. Slicker Cayman Schneider, 2.3 m
Distributed in South America. It is dark brown in color, young crocodiles have dark transverse stripes. It is considered one of the small species, as the length of the females is not more than 1.5 m, but usually it is 1.1 m, and adult males are slightly larger - from 1.7 to 2.3 m.
Smooth Schneider Cayman remembered by his roar, someone compares the sounds made by males with guttural grunts. For life, he chooses cool, fast-flowing rivers or streams; he can settle near waterfalls.
Adults often travel between burrows, which they have located far from the water. There they rest, and off the coast of streams they earn their own food, but they can lie in wait for prey in the forest.
Small crocodiles feed on insects, and then begin to hunt birds, fish, reptiles, rodents, porcupines and packs. Itself can be eaten by a larger predator. During the breeding season they become very aggressive, they can also attack people if they get close to their nest.
6. Paraguayan Cayman, 2 m
His other name is cayman piranhaHe received it because of clearly visible teeth that are not hidden in the mouth. As the name implies, it lives in Paraguay, as well as in Argentina, Brazil, Bolivia.
It can be of different colors, from light brown to dark chestnut, but transverse dark stripes are also visible against this background. In adolescents, the color is yellowish green, which helps them disguise themselves. Lives in rivers, lakes, in wetlands.
Males Paraguayan Cayman are slightly larger than females. Usually it is no more than 2 m in length, but can grow up to 2.5 - 3 m. They feed on snails, fish, and occasionally eat snakes and rodents. Because of their natural timidity, they prefer to avoid large animals.
Cayman can breed if it grows to 1.3 - 1.4 m. The offspring usually hatch in March, incubation lasts up to 100 days. Due to the fact that there is a constant destruction of its habitat and because of poachers, the population is declining. But they hunt him not so often, because Paraguayan caiman leather of poor quality, not suitable for the manufacture of boots and wallets.
5. Wide Cayman, 2 m
It is also called broad-necked cayman. He lives in Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, in Argentina. He has a wide muzzle, it is olive in color. Males are slightly larger than females, their average size is two meters, but some individuals grow up to 3.5 m. Females are even smaller, their maximum length is 2 m.
Wide cayman leads a water lifestyle, loves mangrove swamps, can live close to human habitation. Eats water snails, fish, amphibians, adult males sometimes prey on capybaras. They have such powerful jaws that they can bite through the tortoise shell.
Prefer to lead a nocturnal lifestyle. They hide in water, almost completely immerse in it, leaving only their eyes and nostrils on the surface. They prefer to swallow prey whole, rather than tearing it to pieces.
In the 40-50s of the last century, many hunted them, because their skin was highly valued, because of which their number was reduced. Forests are also polluted and cut down, plantations expand. Now it is a protected species.
4. Spectacled cayman, 2 m
His other name is crocodile cayman. It has a long, narrowed front muzzle. It can be of different lengths, but most males - from 1.8 to 2 m in length, and females - do not exceed 1.2-1.4 m, they weigh from 7 to 40 kg. The biggest spectacle cayman - 2.2 m, and the female - 1.61 m.
Young individuals are yellow in color, covered with black spots and stripes, and adults are usually olive in color. Crocodile caimans are found in Brazil, Bolivia, Mexico, etc. He lives in humid lowlands, near reservoirs, choosing stagnant water.
Young caimans often hide in floating islands and can be transported with them over long distances. When a period of drought occurs, they burrow into the silt and fall into hibernation. They feed on shellfish, crabs and fish. They are hunted by jaguars, anacondas and other crocodiles.
3. Chinese alligator, 2 m
In the Yangtze River Basin, in China, a very rare species lives, of which less than 200 are left in nature. it Chinese alligator yellow with a gray tint, spotted on the lower jaw.
Once upon a time he lived in a vast territory, but in recent years his area has declined sharply. The Chinese alligator leads a secluded lifestyle, spends most of the year (about 6-7 months) in hibernation. Having survived the winter, she likes to lie in the sun. For humans, it is not dangerous.
2. Smooth Cayman Cuvier, 1.6 m
Males The smooth-faced cayman Cuvier do not exceed 210 cm, and females do not grow more than 150 cm. Most representatives of this species are no larger than 1.6 m and weigh about 20 kg. They can be found in South America.
For life, shallow areas are chosen, where the current is quite fast, but they can also get used to stagnant water. They are also found in flooded forests.
1. Dumb crocodile, 1.5 m
The smallest representative of this family living in West Africa. The adult does not usually grow larger than 1.5 m, the largest Dumb crocodile had a length of 1.9 m. It is black in color, young individuals have brown stripes on their backs and yellow spots on their heads. He got this name because of his short and stupid face.
This is a secretive animal, active at night. Digs huge burrows on the shore or in the water, where it lies most of the day or hides in the roots of trees.