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Crocodilians


During the last 200 million years Crocodiles are the nearest surviving relatives of the dinosaurs. The only difference between these ancient and modern crocodiles is the size of the prey that they eat. An article in National Geographic Dec 2000 issue titled " SUPERCROC " ON NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC CHANNEL, December 9.The colossal crocodile in question Sarosuchus imperator "flesh corocodile emperor" After measuring the bones and comparing them to modern crocodiles it is estimated that a mature adult would be 40 feet long, its weighs as much as ten tons.

There are 23 living families of crocodylidae, living today. They are to be found in tropical and subtropical regions around the world i.e. rivers, lakes, waters, shorelines, swamps and estuaries Order- Crocodilia (since upper trias) Suborder- Eusuchia. These crocodiles have been with us since the upper Jurassic. Large with long jaws; teeth set in bony sockets. Skull diapsid with upper temporal opening reduced The secondary palate is well developed; internal nostrils opening between pterygoids. Clavicler absent. Anterior dorsal ribs two-headed. Gastralia present. Osteodeems well developed. The ventricles of the heart are completely divided by the septum. Male has single median penis. Cloacal opening longitudinal.












Crocodilians Information



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