Crocodilia
Alligators and kin
Crocodilia is the biological order comprising crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials—large semi-aquatic reptiles with elongated snouts, powerful jaws, and armored skin.
These are the closest living relatives of birds, both descended from archosaurs.
The term appears in scientific and zoological contexts: Crocodilia have remained largely unchanged for millions of years.
Surprise strike from concealment
- death rollCrocodile's twisting attack
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
- vocalizationsSounds produced by voice
bellowing · maternal care · territorial · nocturnal hunting · floating · lurking · lunging · belly crawl
Beast's protruding face
- scalesPlates or weighing devices
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- tailRear animal appendage
- jawsMouth's bony framework
teeth · nictitating membrane · cloaca · webbed feet · quadrate bone · skull · vertebrae · musculature
Non-saline aquatic environment
- swampWaterlogged land with vegetation
- riverLarge flowing watercourse
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- mangroveTidal shrub with exposed roots
wetland · marsh · tropical · subtropical · brackish · billabong · lagoon · floodplain
Methodical arrangement or request
- reptileCold-blooded scaled vertebrate
- cladeMonophyletic taxonomic group
- familyRelated people together
- genusTaxonomic rank above species
species · classification · phylogeny · suborder · vertebrate · tetrapod · nomenclature · systematics
Large American swamp reptile
- caimanNeotropical crocodilian species
- American alligatorNorth American crocodilian species
- muggerOne who robs violently
Ruling reptile clade member
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- living fossilOrganism unchanged since prehistory
- prehistoricBefore documented civilization
Cretaceous · convergent evolution · ancient lineage · basal · derived · fossil record · paleontology
Aboriginal mythological creation era
- totemSpiritual clan symbol
- leatherTanned animal skin
- handbagPortable container for belongings
- conservationPreventing waste or loss
CITES · endangered · farm · wrestling · Steve Irwin · Gustave · man-eater · mythology
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- death rollCrocodile's twisting attack
- baskingWarming oneself pleasantly
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
vocalizations · bellowing · maternal care · territorial · nocturnal hunting · floating · lurking · lunging · belly crawl · gaping
snout
Beast's protruding face
jaws · teeth · nictitating membrane · cloaca · webbed feet · quadrate bone · skull · vertebrae · musculature · tongue
freshwater
Non-saline aquatic environment
mangrove · wetland · marsh · tropical · subtropical · brackish · billabong · lagoon · floodplain · riverbank
order
Methodical arrangement or request
genus · species · classification · phylogeny · suborder · vertebrate · tetrapod · nomenclature · systematics · taxon
alligator
Large American swamp reptile
- caimanNeotropical crocodilian species
- American alligatorNorth American crocodilian species
- muggerOne who robs violently
archosaur
Ruling reptile clade member
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
- living fossilOrganism unchanged since prehistory
prehistoric · Cretaceous · convergent evolution · ancient lineage · basal · derived · fossil record · paleontology
Dreamtime
Aboriginal mythological creation era
conservation · CITES · endangered · farm · wrestling · Steve Irwin · Gustave · man-eater · mythology · reverence
Crocodiliamammals
Hair-bearing, milk-producing animals
birds · amphibians · endotherms · frogs · placental mammals
- crocodiles' tearsHypocritical display of grief
- crocodile tearsInsincere show of sadness
- Crocodile DundeeFictional outback survivalist
- saltwater crocodileLargest living reptilian species
- crocodile clipToothed spring clamp for wires
- crocodile skinReptile hide for goods