page_title: Crocodile
hierarchical_section_title: Crocodile
caption_attribution_description: World distribution of genera and species within family Crocodylidae (C. means Crocodylus) Left: Crocodylus acutus Crocodylus rhombifer Crocodylus moreletii Crocodylus intermedius Crocodylus niloticus Crocodylus cataphractus = Mecistops cataphractus Osteolaemus tetraspis Right: Crocodylus palustris Crocodylus porosus Crocodylus siamensis Crocodylus mindorensis Crocodylus novaeguineae Crocodylus johnsoni Tomistoma schlegelii
context_page_description: A crocodile is a large amphibious reptile. It lives mostly in large tropical rivers, where it is an ambush predator. One species, the Australian saltie, also travels in coastal salt water. In very dry climates, crocodiles may aestivate and sleep out the dry season.
  The modern type of crocodile appeared first in the Eocene period. Its ancestors go much further back to the Upper Triassic. The name "Crocodile" is also used for any member of the order Crocodilia. They are basically Archosaurs, a group which also includes the dinosaurs. There are many species of Crocodiles including the American, slender-snouted and Orinoco crocodile.
  The crocodile can snap its jaw shut quickly and with much power. But crocodiles have very little strength opening their jaws and a person could hold the jaw shut with their hands.
  Crocodiles range in size from African dwarf crocodiles that measure rarely over 5 feet to saltwater crocodiles which can approach 23 feet.
context_section_description: A crocodile is a large amphibious reptile. It lives mostly in large tropical rivers, where it is an ambush predator. One species, the Australian saltie, also travels in coastal salt water. In very dry climates, crocodiles may aestivate and sleep out the dry season. 
  The modern type of crocodile appeared first in the Eocene period. Its ancestors go much further back to the Upper Triassic. The name "Crocodile" is also used for any member of the order Crocodilia. They are basically Archosaurs, a group which also includes the dinosaurs. There are many species of Crocodiles including the American, slender-snouted and Orinoco crocodile.
  The crocodile can snap its jaw shut quickly and with much power. But crocodiles have very little strength opening their jaws and a person could hold the jaw shut with their hands.
  Crocodiles range in size from African dwarf crocodiles that measure rarely over 5 feet (1.5 m) to saltwater crocodiles which can approach 23 feet (7 m).
caption: Distribution of crocodiles
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