EXTRA INFO ON CROCODILES:

2010 AND 2011:
CROCS:

Essential Crocodile Information You Need to Know:

The following crocodile information reveals everything you need to know about crocodiles:

What do Crocodiles feed on?

What do crocodiles eat? Crocodiles will feed on birds and other smaller animals like turtles and fish. They will also attack deer and even animals as large as calves. They make no distinction between living and dead animals and are certainly strong enough to catch and kill human beings.

Can Crocodiles survive long periods without food?

Crocodiles can go without food for long periods of time due to their slow digestive systems. This, coupled with a relatively slow metabolism, suits their ambush style of hunting, allowing crocodiles to pick their prey with care and to only strike when they are ready.

Do Crocodiles pose danger to human beings?

Crocodiles can be dangerous and potentially lethal to human beings. Never approach a crocodile unless you are in the presence of a trained professional who knows how to interpret their reactions and predict their behavior. (Even with a professional, however, these are dangerous animals and should be treated with extreme caution.)

Uses of Crocodile Hides

One of the best known crocodile facts is that their skins can be used to make expensive leather goods. Most countries around the world have now put an import ban on crocodile items in an effort to protect the animals. Although the use of the hides is normally for decorative purposes, crocodile blood can help to cure people who have grown immune to standard antibiotic treatments and some alternative medicine employs ground crocodile teeth.

The Limitations of Crocodiles

The nearly extinct crocodile species does have its limitations. A crocodile is not able to keep up strenuous activities for long periods of time. They can run and even jump, but when this happens it will be only a short burst of activity.

The Strange Habits of Crocodiles

Crocodiles have a tendency to retain hard indigestible objects in their stomachs, which are often retrieved from dead animals. They enjoy lying in the hot sun on a pebble beach and they cannot turn their necks.

Do Crocodiles face the threat of extinction?

Around the 1960s the crocodile was on the brink of extinction because of the use of its leather and teeth for cosmetics and for fashion accessories. Handbags, shoes and other items were much in demand and some varieties nearly disappeared. Five are still highly threatened: the Siamese, Cuban crocodile, Orinoco, Philippine, and Chinese alligator.

Steps are being taken by both the Chinese government as well as other countries to reintroduce new animals into their natural habitat, but as it is difficult to breed animals in captivity this is a slow process. An awareness of crocodile facts and familiarity with species like the Nile crocodile will hopefully contribute to a healthier, safer world for these creatures.