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Wednesday, March 9, 2011

Facts About Crocodiles - strangefacts

  • One generally reliable rule to distinguish between alligators and crocodiles is that alligators have U-shaped heads, while crocodiles are V-shaped
  • Steve Irwin's body was fed to crocodiles at his request
  • The first-known contraceptive was crocodile dung, used by Egyptians in 2000 BC
  • To escape the grip of a crocodile's jaws, push your thumbs into its eyeballs. It will let you go instantly
  • Research has shown that crocodiles really do shed tears during a meal
  • Crocodile and kangaroo tail, as well as the webbed toes of a hippopotamus are all on the menu at the Beijing zoo's restaurant
  • While alligators are often confused with crocodiles, they belong to two quite separate taxonomic families, and are as distinct from one another as humans are from gorillas
  • The East Alligator River in Australia's Northern Territory contains crocodiles, not alligators
  • An adult crocodile can go two years without eating
  • The crocodiles have a four-chambered heart like in birds (their closest relatives) and mammals, for an active life. Still, when diving, the heart behaves like a three-chambered reptilian heart, enabling them to stay more underwater
  • They can achieve speeds of up to 70 mph over short distances and will eat human beings if given the chance
  • Their jaws are studded with 64 to 68 large teeth and they read a length of 16-19 feet
  • The American crocodile, sometimes known as the American alligator, is less likely to kill human beings but is still a dangerous wild animal
  • Unlike other crocodiles they have a more rounded body and tail that gives them a distinctive appearance
  • The black caiman is the largest crocodile, reaching as much as 20 feet in length. In addition to their black skin, Caimans have menacing red eyes
  • They live mainly in the Amazon and eat animals ranging from small rodents up to deer
  • Most species of crocodiles can be found in Africa and in regions of Asia. Parts of Australia are also known for their crocodiles
  •  Some travel a fair distance, as they are good at both running and swimming. They sometimes stray into inhabited areas where they can pose a threat to small animals, children, and adults