CROCODILE
			Phylum: Class: Order: Family: Chordata Reptilia Crocodilia Crocodylidae

The crocodile family includes the largest of all living reptiles. The biggest crocodile is the estuarine crocodile, which is said to reach 33 ft (10 m) in length. The smallest is the Congo dwarf crocodile which is fully grown at about 1 yard (1 m).

Crocodiles are armored, aquatic reptiles related to the alligator to which they are similar. Crocodiles live in tropical parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the United States. With their bulky bodies and short legs, adults are usually sluggish, although young crocodiles can gallop with the body high off the ground. Unlike alligators, they are often found in brackish water and sometimes swim out to sea. Although cold-blooded, crocodiles prevent their body temperature from varying too much by coming ashore at sunrise to bask, and then cooling off in the water as the sun becomes hotter. They float very low, with little more than eyes and nostrils showing.

An adult crocodile catches and eats fish, and also traps larger mammals and birds. It captures its prey by lying in wait near game trails or water holes, seizing an antelope or zebra in its jaws and dragging it under water or knocking it over with a blow from its head or tail. Drowning soon stills the victim's struggles. If its prey is large, the crocodile grips the body in its jaws and rolls over and over, tearing off large chunks of flesh.

The Nile crocodile breeds when 5 to 10 yrs. old. Males fight for territories before mating. Each female lays up to 90 eggs in a specially dug pit. After four months, the eggs hatch and the mother takes the hatchlings in her mouth down to the water to assist them.