crocodilians
Snapping aquatic predators
Crocodilians are the order of large aquatic reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials.
These ancient predators share distinctive features: elongated snouts, powerful tails, armored bodies covered in bony plates, and the ability to remain submerged for extended periods while hunting.
Crocodilians are found in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, typically inhabiting freshwater environments like rivers, swamps, and marshes, though some species tolerate saltwater.
Large American swamp reptile
- saltwaterOcean water, chemically speaking
- NileAfrica's longest river
- AmericanFrom the U.S.
- muggerOne who robs violently
spectacled · Siamese · Orinoco · freshwater · estuarine · Cuban · Philippine
Reptile superorder, Triassic onward
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
- TriassicFirst Mesozoic period
dinosaurs · fossils · paleontology · prehistoric · extinction · Gondwana · evolution · ancestors
Plates or weighing devices
- scutesHorny epidermal plates
- snoutBeast's protruding face
- teethEnamel-covered chewing structures
- tailRear animal appendage
keratin · dermal · jaw · vertebrae · skull · cloacal · nostrils
Waterlogged land with vegetation
- riverLarge flowing watercourse
- wetlandWaterlogged land ecosystem
- estuaryTidal mixing zone
- deltaSymbol denoting variation
mangrove · freshwater · brackish · marsh · submerged · basking · riverbank · billabong
Surprise strike from concealment
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- territorialDefensive about owned space
- stalkingStealthy, persistent pursuit
prey · powerful · jaws · opportunistic · lurking · patient · explosive · drowning
Warming oneself pleasantly
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
- bellowingLoud, deep shouting
- nest-buildingCreating a dwelling for offspring
- vocalizationsSounds produced by voice
courtship · dominance · aestivation · nocturnal · communication · hissing
alligator
Large American swamp reptile
mugger · spectacled · Siamese · Orinoco · freshwater · estuarine · Cuban · Philippine
archosaurs
Reptile superorder, Triassic onward
- MesozoicAge of Reptiles
- CretaceousFinal Mesozoic period
- JurassicDinosaur-dominated geological period
Triassic · dinosaurs · fossils · paleontology · prehistoric · extinction · Gondwana · evolution · ancestors · phylogeny
scales
Plates or weighing devices
tail · keratin · dermal · jaw · vertebrae · skull · cloacal · nostrils
swamp
Waterlogged land with vegetation
delta · mangrove · freshwater · brackish · marsh · submerged · basking · riverbank · billabong · waterhole
ambush
Surprise strike from concealment
- carnivoreCreature eating only animals
- apexUppermost point or culmination
- territorialDefensive about owned space
stalking · prey · powerful · jaws · opportunistic · lurking · patient · explosive · drowning · constriction
basking
Warming oneself pleasantly
- thermoregulationMaintaining stable internal heat
- bellowingLoud, deep shouting
- nest-buildingCreating a dwelling for offspring
vocalizations · courtship · dominance · aestivation · nocturnal · communication · hissing
- vertebratesmammals, mammal, birds, bird, reptiles
- reptileslizard, snake, turtle, alligator, python
- Crocodiliansalligator, American alligator, saltie, saltwater croc
- reptile housesnakes, snake, turtles, turtle, lizards
- Cladesmammals, birds, reptiles, amphibians, insects
- archosaursarchosaurs, dinosaurs, dinosaur, birds, pterosaurs
crocodilianswildebeest
Large African grazing antelope
zebras · gazelles · fish · waterfowl · herbivores