Crocodile
Crocodile
Crocodile (/ˈkrɒkədaɪl/; from Ancient Greek: κροκόδιλος, krokódilos, "lizard") is a large aquatic reptile that lives throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia.
Etymology
The word "crocodile" comes from the Ancient Greek κροκόδιλος (krokódilos), "lizard", used in the phrase ho krokódilos tou potamoú, "the lizard of the (Nile) river". There are several variant Greek forms of the word attested, including the later form κροκόδειλος (krokódeilos) found cited in many English reference works. In the Koine Greek of Roman times, crocodilos and crocodeilos would have been pronounced identically, and either or both may be the source of the Latinized form crocodīlus used by the ancient Romans.
Anatomy
Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that live throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. Crocodiles tend to congregate in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, wetlands and sometimes in brackish water and saltwater. They have a streamlined body that enables them to swim swiftly; it also tucks their feet to the side while swimming, which makes them faster by decreasing water resistance. Crocodiles have webbed feet which, though not used to propel them through the water, allow them to make fast turns and sudden moves in the water or initiate swimming.
Behavior
Crocodiles are ambush predators, waiting for fish or land animals to come close, then rushing out to attack. Crocodiles mostly eat fish, amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, and mammals, and they occasionally cannibalize smaller crocodiles.
Related Terms
- Alligator: A large, semi-aquatic reptile similar to a crocodile but with a broader and shorter head, native to the Americas and China.
- Caiman: A small to medium-sized crocodilian native to Central and South America.
- Gharial: A fish-eating crocodile native to the Indian subcontinent.
- Reptile: The class of cold-blooded air-breathing vertebrates that includes crocodiles, lizards, snakes, and turtles. They have dry scaly skin and typically lay soft-shelled eggs on land.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Crocodile
- Wikipedia's article - Crocodile
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