Crocodylidae
Crocodylidae
Crocodylidae (pronounced: kroh-ko-dil-i-dee) is a family of large aquatic reptiles that includes the true crocodiles. They are commonly referred to as crocodiles, they belong to the order Crocodylia, which also includes alligators, caimans, and gharials.
Etymology
The term "Crocodylidae" comes from the Greek words "krokodilos" which means "pebble worm" (krokos: pebble + drilos: worm). This is possibly a reference to the pebbly skin texture of many crocodiles.
Description
Members of the Crocodylidae family are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. They are carnivorous animals, feeding mostly on vertebrates such as fish, reptiles, birds and mammals.
Species
The Crocodylidae family includes 14 species. Some of the most well-known species include the Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), the Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), and the American Crocodile (Crocodylus acutus).
Related Terms
- Crocodylinae: A subfamily within the Crocodylidae family.
- Crocodylus: A genus within the Crocodylidae family.
- Crocodylomorpha: The larger group (clade) to which Crocodylidae belongs.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Crocodylidae
- Wikipedia's article - Crocodylidae
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