crocodile

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References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

estuarine crocodile, or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

American alligator

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

estuarine crocodile, or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

gharial, or gavial (Gavialis gangeticus)

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)

Witness a crocodile hatchling emerge from its egg and call for its mother

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

For Students

crocodile summary

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Close up of saltwater crocodile as emerges from water with a toothy grin. The crocodile's skin colorings and pattern camouflage the animal in the wild.

7 Crocodilian Species That Are Dangerous to Humans

Hippopotamus in the water. Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya

11 Fascinating Nile River Plants and Animals

Leopard. Leopard (Panthera pardus) male leopard on a termite mound in Sabi Sand nature reserve, South Africa. panther, mammal, large cat, animal

6 Real-Life Man-Eating Animals

Close-up of crocodile eye; location unknown (rainforest, reptile).

What’s the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?

animal. Amphibian. Frog. Anura. Ranidae. Frog in grass.

Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World

Discover

Shah Jahan. Taj Mahal. Mughal architecture. Emperor Shah Jahan fifth Mughal Emperor (reigned 1628-1658) India, Himachal Pradesh, Basohli or Jammu and Kashmir, Mankot, circa 1690 Drawings; Opaque watercolor, gold, and ink on paper (see notes)

6 Important Mughal Emperors

bird. mourning dove. pigeon and dove. Mourning Dove (Zenaida macroura) family Columbidae.

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crocodile: Facts & Related Content

Written and fact-checked by The Information Architects of Encyclopaedia Britannica

News •

PHOTO ESSAY | How a Man and a Crocodile Formed a Bond of Friendship • Feb. 7, 2025, 5:01 AM ET (Frontline Magazine)

Live: Crocodile warnings as North Queensland gets months of rain in three days • Feb. 2, 2025, 8:50 PM ET (ABC News (Australia))

76-Million-Year-Old Mystery: Crocodile-Like Predator Found To Have Feasted on Flying Reptile • Jan. 28, 2025, 4:27 AM ET (SciTechDaily)

Facts

Also Known As	crocodilian • Crocodylia • Crocodilia

Photos and Videos

estuarine crocodile, or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

American alligator

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)

estuarine crocodile, or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

gharial, or gavial (Gavialis gangeticus)

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis)

American crocodile (Crocodylus acutus)

Witness a crocodile hatchling emerge from its egg and call for its mother

See a crocodile launch its body out of the water to get food

See All Videos, Images and Audio →

Topics

Mesosuchia Deinosuchus Sebecosuchia Eusuchia Sarcosuchus Protosuchia Crocodylidae Steneosaurus Deinosuchus riograndensis Alligatoridae phytosaur

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sound reception: Crocodiles

Quiz

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Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

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Lion (panthera leo)

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Lion (panthera leo)

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Close up of saltwater crocodile as emerges from water with a toothy grin. The crocodile's skin colorings and pattern camouflage the animal in the wild.

Can You Tell An Alligator From A Crocodile? Quiz

vulture. An adult bearded vulture at a raptor recovery center. The Gypaetus barbatus also known as the Lammergeier or Lammergeyer, is a bird of prey and considered an Old World vulture.

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List

Slowworm. Anguis fragilis. Blindworm. Lizard. Anguidae. Close-up of a slowworm's head.

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Hippopotamus in the water. Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Kenya

11 Fascinating Nile River Plants and Animals

animal. Amphibian. Frog. Anura. Ranidae. Frog in grass.

Abundant Animals: The Most Numerous Organisms in the World

Demystified

Close-up of crocodile eye; location unknown (rainforest, reptile).

What’s the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?