Crocodile
by Arlenois
The Mouths of the Crocodiles
Have you ever heard of crocodile Charlie, Alice, and Ally from a cartoonist called Jimmy? They are cute, but they are deadly. Crocodiles’ mouths are like a mouse trap with sharp separated teeth. Some teeth hang out of their mouths too. You will know the rest of the details if you keep reading, so keep reading!
Like I promised I’ll tell you about crocodiles’ mouths being like mouse traps. Okay, so a crocodile’s mouth is like a mouse trap because if you put your hand inside a crocodile’s mouth (DON’T DO IT!!!!!) and touch inside, the mouth will shut on your hand. If you put your hand inside and don't touch the inside, you’re safe. (I still don't recommend it. YIKES!)
Characteristics of the Crocodile
Let me tell you more about how a certain member of the crocodile family, the black caimans, look. Well not all are black if you thought that. Most people think that, but it's not true.
When black caiman hatchlings are born their heads are actually as gray as Athena’s eyes and their bodies are black with rows of white dots as white as paper. Their backs are scaly like snakes and they look like glass that will shatter at the touch of a finger (so don't touch it).
Their heads start turning brown as they grow. They're nocturnal, which means they’re awake at night so they sleep all day and hunt at night.
They’re scary creatures that kill animals and humans with a move called the death roll. A death roll is when the animal or human gets captured in its mouth and it drags you under water and spins you around and around, until you are dead.
Crocodiles vs. Alligators
Crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles, but crocodiles have a longer, more V-shaped head than alligators. A reptile is a cold-blooded vertebrate (meaning it has a backbone) with dry, scaly skin and lays eggs on land. Another difference is that on a crocodile their fourth tooth sticks out of their mouth and alligators don’t have any teeth that stick out. Crocodiles have lighter skin than alligators and they are also more aggressive.
Hero and Scientist
Crocodiles will attack to protect their hatchlings (baby crocodiles). So STAY AWAY if you love your life! Let me give you an example of how protective crocodiles are. There was a scientist that wanted to study black caiman hatchlings and the first time he tried the mother came and scared him away. The second time he captured some, but the mother popped out of the water and snatched him while he tried to run away. He was lucky that the black caiman lost its grip on him and he escaped.
As you know that alligators are less aggressive than crocodiles, but still, they are dangerous. A very brave kid about 8 years old saved his dog from an American Alligator. The story is that he and his dog were walking then the alligator jumped out and snatched the dog. The kid swam after it! The child was bit in the hand, but saved his dog from death, risking his own life. Now that's a true hero isn't it?
The Way of Life
Okay, time to learn about the life cycle of the black caiman. (They are cool.)
So first of all the female dig a hole in the soil before they reproduce, which means to mate and have babies. It’s about 5 feet wide and almost 2 feet deep.
They lay 10-50 eggs at a time and reproduce eggs every 2-3 years. The eggs hatch at around six weeks. After they hatch the mom will bring the babies into a shallow (not deep) water place.
While they’re at the shallow pool the babies learn how to hunt and swim and after a couple months the mom leaves them to fend for themselves. The black caiman likes to feast on fish, reptiles, mammals, and man eating piranha.
The Homes of the Reptilians
If you are still reading (I hope) then you get to know about black caiman’s habitats. They like to live near places with water so you would find most in swamps, marshes, South and Central America, and tropical rivers.
Talking about water, I’m going to get some water, be right back...I’m back. So crocodiles love water because they use it as an escape from one of its predators, the jaguar.
Jaguars don’t like water so it doesn’t follow the black caiman into the water. The black caiman only has two predators…jaguars and HUMANS! Humans are killing them for their skin to make things like boots and purses. Make a change and don’t kill black caimans. They are really awesome crocodiles.
Random Facts about Reptilian Crocodiles
Here are some Fun Facts to give you more entertainment about crocs, short for crocodiles.
by Arlenois
The Mouths of the Crocodiles
Have you ever heard of crocodile Charlie, Alice, and Ally from a cartoonist called Jimmy? They are cute, but they are deadly. Crocodiles’ mouths are like a mouse trap with sharp separated teeth. Some teeth hang out of their mouths too. You will know the rest of the details if you keep reading, so keep reading!
Like I promised I’ll tell you about crocodiles’ mouths being like mouse traps. Okay, so a crocodile’s mouth is like a mouse trap because if you put your hand inside a crocodile’s mouth (DON’T DO IT!!!!!) and touch inside, the mouth will shut on your hand. If you put your hand inside and don't touch the inside, you’re safe. (I still don't recommend it. YIKES!)
Characteristics of the Crocodile
Let me tell you more about how a certain member of the crocodile family, the black caimans, look. Well not all are black if you thought that. Most people think that, but it's not true.
When black caiman hatchlings are born their heads are actually as gray as Athena’s eyes and their bodies are black with rows of white dots as white as paper. Their backs are scaly like snakes and they look like glass that will shatter at the touch of a finger (so don't touch it).
Their heads start turning brown as they grow. They're nocturnal, which means they’re awake at night so they sleep all day and hunt at night.
They’re scary creatures that kill animals and humans with a move called the death roll. A death roll is when the animal or human gets captured in its mouth and it drags you under water and spins you around and around, until you are dead.
Crocodiles vs. Alligators
Crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles, but crocodiles have a longer, more V-shaped head than alligators. A reptile is a cold-blooded vertebrate (meaning it has a backbone) with dry, scaly skin and lays eggs on land. Another difference is that on a crocodile their fourth tooth sticks out of their mouth and alligators don’t have any teeth that stick out. Crocodiles have lighter skin than alligators and they are also more aggressive.
Hero and Scientist
Crocodiles will attack to protect their hatchlings (baby crocodiles). So STAY AWAY if you love your life! Let me give you an example of how protective crocodiles are. There was a scientist that wanted to study black caiman hatchlings and the first time he tried the mother came and scared him away. The second time he captured some, but the mother popped out of the water and snatched him while he tried to run away. He was lucky that the black caiman lost its grip on him and he escaped.
As you know that alligators are less aggressive than crocodiles, but still, they are dangerous. A very brave kid about 8 years old saved his dog from an American Alligator. The story is that he and his dog were walking then the alligator jumped out and snatched the dog. The kid swam after it! The child was bit in the hand, but saved his dog from death, risking his own life. Now that's a true hero isn't it?
The Way of Life
Okay, time to learn about the life cycle of the black caiman. (They are cool.)
So first of all the female dig a hole in the soil before they reproduce, which means to mate and have babies. It’s about 5 feet wide and almost 2 feet deep.
They lay 10-50 eggs at a time and reproduce eggs every 2-3 years. The eggs hatch at around six weeks. After they hatch the mom will bring the babies into a shallow (not deep) water place.
While they’re at the shallow pool the babies learn how to hunt and swim and after a couple months the mom leaves them to fend for themselves. The black caiman likes to feast on fish, reptiles, mammals, and man eating piranha.
The Homes of the Reptilians
If you are still reading (I hope) then you get to know about black caiman’s habitats. They like to live near places with water so you would find most in swamps, marshes, South and Central America, and tropical rivers.
Talking about water, I’m going to get some water, be right back...I’m back. So crocodiles love water because they use it as an escape from one of its predators, the jaguar.
Jaguars don’t like water so it doesn’t follow the black caiman into the water. The black caiman only has two predators…jaguars and HUMANS! Humans are killing them for their skin to make things like boots and purses. Make a change and don’t kill black caimans. They are really awesome crocodiles.
Random Facts about Reptilian Crocodiles
Here are some Fun Facts to give you more entertainment about crocs, short for crocodiles.
- First off, black caimans are the biggest crocodiles in the world! Also, they can run at 30 miles per hour on land, but only for short periods of time.
- The coolest fact to me is that black caimans’ teeth are arranged so when they bite something, they don’t tear their food, they swallow it whole. They are sharp, too. Poke = ouchhhhh!
- My final fun fact is croc babies are protected by their mom so STAY AWAY! It will eat you because it is a carnivore, an animal that eats meat. Black caimans protect their hatchlings so don’t bother with them and they probably won’t attack you, but that’s not a promise.