Crocodiles or true crocodiles, taxonomically known as Crocodylids, are a family of crocodilian reptiles native to Earth. They are mostly found in the tropics, though can also be found in the subtropical zones of the planet. There are at least 18 known extant species of true crocodiles on Earth, spread across three genera: Crocodylus, Mecistops (the slender-snouted crocodiles), and Osteolaemus (the dwarf crocodiles).
Overview[]
Physiology[]
Crocodiles are semi-aquatic quadrupedal reptiles with webbed feet and large powerful laterally compressed tails that aid them in swimming. Their streamlined body is mostly covered in specialized scales known as scutes, a lot of which are coated in osteoderms. The head lacks any scales and is instead covered in a hard tight keratinous skin that is prone to cracking due to stress.
The heads of crocodiles are long and narrow, typically in a V-shape, which distinguishes them from their U-shaped cousins the alligators and caimans, as well as the particularly slender-snouted gharials. However, crocodiles of the genus Mecistops possess distinctively narrower snouts, similar to those of the false gharial but not as thin as the Indian gharial. Crocodiles possess sharp teeth designed for piercing and have some of the strongest bite forces among animals on Earth. They are polyphyodonts, meaning they continually replace their teeth. Crocodiles possess a palatal valve at the back of their throats to prevent them from drowning while underwater.
Crocodiles of the genus Crocodylus can range in size from less than 7 feet long to over 20 feet long, those of the genus Mecistops can range from just over 8 feet long to around 14 feet long, while the members of the genus Osteolaemus are on the smaller size with a range from under 4 feet long to just over 6 feet long.
Relationships[]
Humans[]
Crocodiles are often seen as intimidating and dangerous animals by humans and as such, they will typically tend to avoid them. These fears are not entirely unfounded as large crocodiles are more than capable of killing humans and have been recorded to kill hundreds of humans per annum. However, there are people who keep crocodiles as pets, though this is very rare. Crocodiles are popular display animals in zoos for their impressive size and prehistoric appearance. They are also often confused with their close relatives, the alligators, caimans, and gharials.
As well as being feared, crocodiles have been revered throughout history as deities and sacred in various religions and cultures. Most notable is the ancient Egyptian god, Sobek, who possessed the head of a crocodile. Crocodilopolis was a city dedicated to Sobek's worship. In other cultures, crocodiles have been hunted for use in products such as crocodile leather fashion and as a delicacy.
Xenomorphs[]
Xenomorphs have been known to utilize crocodiles as hosts for Chestbursters. The resultant Xenomorph is a large and powerful semi-quadrupedal variant that possesses an exceptionally long tail and tough durable mesoskeletons as well as distinctly possessing six dorsal spines as opposed to the regular four.
Yautja[]
While Yautja do not regularly encounter crocodiles, they can pose a serious threat to the hunters, should they come in contact. One notable example was in 1936 when a hunter known as the Forest Devil was attacked by two large Nile crocodiles in Kenya, which managed to tear off the Yautja's left arm before he could kill them.
Trivia[]
- It is unknown how exactly a Facehugger is capable of subduing and impregnating a crocodile due to their mouth shape and the fact that since their jaw muscles used for closing their mouths are so strong, prying open a crocodile's jaw is no easy task, assuming the crocodile doesn't simply crush the Facehugger with its bite force. On the other hand, crocodiles' jaw muscles used for opening their mouths are not very strong, so if a Facehugger was able to latch onto the end of a crocodile's snout, they'd be able to easily bind the animal's jaw with their tails as even humans can hold a crocodile's mouth shut.
Appearances[]
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