It’s our sincere hope that you, our readers, will greatly enjoy reading this article we present you, about 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians. It’s also our fervent hope that doing so will fill you with a new or renewed appreciation for the many works of Nature.
Quite obviously, these 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians constitute only a small handful of the 24 known member species of this group. We do, however, believe that the choices included herein represent good examples of this ancient and impressive group.
Gharial
Gharial Facts
- Leading off this compilation of 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians comes the remarkable reptile known simply as the Gharial.
- The relatively simple term used for it serves as the most often used common name for an impressive variety of crocodilian. This amazing reptile also goes by other alternate names, though, including such terms as the gavial and the fish-eating crocodile.
- The scientific name for it, meanwhile, remains the somewhat tongue-twisting term of Gavialis gangeticus. Regardless of which name one uses to refer to it, however, the remarkable animal represents a highly fascinating species of powerful reptile.
- This creature received its first scientific name as a result of the work of the renowned German naturalist, Johann Friedrich Gmelin, in 1789. That name was later changed, though, at the proposal of another German naturalist, Nicolaus Michael Oppel.
- Though once quite plentiful throughout the entirety of its natural range, its population began declining sharply in the 1930’s. That number has now shrunk to such an extent that the IUCN currently lists it as Critically Endangered on its Red List.
- Its estimated population recently numbered only 235 individuals, putting the magnificent Gharial in a precarious situation. Although efforts to bolster that continue, it faces numerous threats, such as the ongoing effects of climate change.
Gharial Physical Description
Despite being less well-known than some of its relatives, the fascinating Gharial nonetheless remains a physically impressive species. In fact, this particular reptile represents one of the largest of all known crocodilians, at least in terms of body length.
Like many reptiles, though, this marvel of Nature also displays a moderate degree of the physiological trait of sexual dimorphism. In the instance of this specific animal, that distinctive evolutionary trait manifests itself in terms of sheer physical size.
As a result, the male of the species attains a greater average length than the female. His overall length averages around 20 ft (6 m), while hers averages roughly 14.75 ft (4.5 m). Males also typically weigh slightly more, at about 400 lb (181 kg), against her 350 lb (159 kg).
Typically, the adult Gharial possesses a dark olive color tone, while young ones present a pale olive with dark brown spots or cross-bands. Its stomach, meanwhile, displays a yellowish-white. The back also darkens with age, turning nearly black after around 20 years.
Its most easily and frequently noted divergence from its relatives, however, remains the shape of its snout. This develops as quite elongated, and very thin in relation to the rest of the body. It further has a bulbous structure on the end of the snout, that it uses to hiss with.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Crocodilia
- Family: Gavialidae
- Genus: Gavialis
- Species: G. gangeticus
Gharial Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
Although the awesome Gharial once inhabited a significant portion of its part of the world, it now only appears in an estimated 2% of that previous range. This magnificent product of evolution evolved as endemic to the majority of the subcontinent of India, in Asia.
The powerful, but relatively timid reptile also once thrived in all the major river systems of the Indian Subcontinent. Its territory once spanned the rivers of its part from the Indus River in Pakistan across the Gangetic floodplain to the Irrawaddy River in Myanmar.
The gorgeous reptile evolved as perhaps the most highly aquatic of all its relatives. Due to that, its choice of habitat remains dictated by its needs, placing it always either in or near bodies of water. This consists almost exclusively of various rivers in its area.
Individuals spend almost all their time in the water, usually only leaving it to bask themselves in the sun. This activity most commonly takes place in small groups, with a dominant adult male, several females, and multiple young of both genders per group.
Like all its relatives, the Gharial feeds entirely as an active predatory carnivore. The young generally feed on small fish, tadpoles, frogs, and even insects. Adults, however, generally consume fish, which it swallows whole, but occasionally feed on crustaceans.
American Crocodile
American Crocodile Facts
- Next up among our choices for inclusion in this article about 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians is the breathtaking reptile named the American Crocodile.
- Perhaps most notably, the term applied serves as the descriptive common name for a particular species of crocodilian found in the Neotropics. The amazing reptile also goes by the somewhat cumbersome scientific name of the Crocodylus acutus.
- The remarkable creature additionally holds yet annother distinction. That’s due to the fact that it appears to be the most widespread of the four extant species of crocodile from the Americas. That distinguishes it from its many relatives around the world.
- This situation has its unique aspects, however, Within the boundaries of its greatest area of concentration, the distribution of the American Crocodile remains extremely limited. This range includes only Puerto Rico and the southern half of Florida.
- This animal is extremely powerful and highly dangerous if provoked. Currently though, it only has an estimated population of 2,000 individuals. For the moment, therefore the IUCN lists it as Vulnerable on its Red List of Threatened Species.
American Crocodile Physical Description
Like all crocodilians, the fascinating American Crocodile developed as a quadruped, with four short, splayed legs, and a long, powerful tail. This majestic work of Nature also possesses a thick, scaly hide with rows of ossified scutes running down its back and tail.
The snout of the impressive reptile also grows highly elongated, like its brethren. This also includes a remarkably strong pair of jaws. The eyes further develop covered by nictitating membranes for protection, along with lachrymal glands, which produce tears.
The nostrils, eyes, and ears grow situated on the top of its head, so the rest of the body can be concealed underwater for surprise attacks. As a larger species of crocodile, some males reach lengths of as much as 20 ft (6.1 m) and weigh in excess of 2,000 lbs (907 kg).
On average, mature males of the American Crocodile remain more in the range of 13 ft (4.1 m) in length and weigh about 880 lbs (400 kg). Like many animals, sexual dimorphism is present. As a result, females develop smaller, rarely exceeding 12 ft (3.8 m) in length.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Crocodilia
- Family: Crocodylidae
- Genus: Crocodylus
- Species: C. acutus
American Crocodile Habitat
As recently as 1970 experts determined that the population of the American Crocodile appeared to be highly threatened. Estimates placed its population at no more than 200 individuals. The habitat of the powerful crocodile consists largely of coastal areas.
Individuals most frequently make their home in river systems. They do, however, have a tendency to prefer some level of salinity in the water. This usually results in the species congregating in brackish lakes, coastal swamps, lagoons, even cays, and small islands.
Some other crocodiles also have this natural tolerance for salt water, due to salt glands underneath the tongue. The American Crocodile, though, remains the only known species other than the saltwater crocodile to commonly live and thrive in saltwater.
Like any other large species of crocodilian, the American Crocodile continues to be potentially dangerous to humans. The reptile does not, though, appear to be a very aggressive species. That holds true due to the fact that attacks on humans rarely occur.
American Crocodile Distribution and Ecology
Populations of the American Crocodile occur across a realtively wide swathe of its region. Populations mainly exist along the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of southern Mexico. Some, however, appear to live as far away as Peru and Venezuela, in South America.
This amazing species remains most prevalent in the United States, in North America, however. The powerful reptile also occasionally occurs on many of the Caribbean islands. But it presently remains unclear if this forms part of its natural range, or an aberration.
The well-known reptile also constitutes one of the larger known crocodile species. This species also has a more V-shaped snout compared to other large crocodiles that usually have a slightly wider snout. But the evolutionary reason for this is still unknown.
Despite its large size, this incredible reptile does not commonly prey upon large animals. In this, it differs from the majority of its relatives. Fish, reptiles, birds and small mammals appear make up the majority of the diet of most individual specimens.
Exceptions to this do nevertheless occur, as is often the case. That’s because, on occasion, large mammals such as deer and domestic animals do get taken. The dietary habits of the American Crocodile in coastal regions remain poorly studied, at least for now.
Philippine Crocodile
Philippine Crocodile Facts
- Closing out this compendium of 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians comes the amazing reptile known as the Philippine Crocodile.
- This magnificent work of Nature and evolution most frequently goes by this particular, and highly descriptive, name. The reptile also has other, less often used common names, though. While that’s not uncommon, it has more alternate names than some.
- Sometimes individulas refer to the fabulous reptile as either the bulkarot, the Mindoro crocodile, or the Philippine freshwater crocodile. Scientists, meanwhile typically refer to it by its hard to pronounce official scientific name of the Crocodylus mindorensis.
- The first formal recognition of this marvelous creature as a species, however, did not occur until the year 1935. The respected American herpetologist, Karl Patterson Schmidt, holds the honor of that particular scientifically noteworthy acknowledgment.
- Interestingly, though, experts previously considered the animal to merely be a subspecies of yet another crocodile. In 1989, however, experts determined that it was, in fact, not a subspecies of the New Guinea crocodile, despite beliefs to the contrary.
- Sadly, though, the population of the marvelous Philippine Crocodile plunged drastically in modern times. This occurred mainly due to fishing practices, and exploitation. The IUCN, therefore, listed it as Critically Endangered, on its Red List, in 2008.
- In fact, it’s further considered to be the most highly threatened of all known crocodile species. Thankfully, however, the reptile now enjoys a measure of protection under the law. It nevertheless faces other threats, such as habitat loss and climate change.
Philippine Crocodile Physical Description
Though the incredible Philippine Crocodile easily impresses those who encounter it, the animal does not do so purely to sheer size alone. That’s because, compared to related species, it’s relatively small. Further, it’s actually among the smallest of all crocodilians.
Like many reptiles, though, it displays a slight degree of the physiological characteristic of sexual dimorphism. In its specific case, this trait manifests itself in terms of physical size, alone. In some species, this trait appears in both size and overall appearance.
More specifically, though, the females of this amazing species attain a smaller size than males. That further applies to length and weight. The overall difference, however, remains comparatively minor. This sometimes makes identification difficult for experts.
Between the genders, a mature specimen of the Philippine Crocodile reaches a length measuring approximately 10 ft (3.1 m). The gender-based differnce is more pronounced in weight, however. Males weigh up to 420 lb (190 kg), yet females rarely exceed 200 lb (90 kg).
Like its many relatives, this crocodilian develops thick, bony plates, like armor, covering its body. These further develop especially thick on its back. It also manifests a relatively broad snout. In coloring, it’s a golden-brown shade when young, but darkens as it matures.
- Kingdom: Animalia
- Phylum: Chordata
- Class: Reptilia
- Order: Crocodilia
- Family: Crocodylidae
- Genus: Crocodylus
- Species: C. mindorensis
Philippine Crocodile Distribution, Habitat, and Ecology
The very name of the remarkable Philippine Crocodile provides a good indication its native range. That’s due to the fact that the reptile is native to region of the Philippines. For an entire species, however, that’s an extremely limited section of the globe for it to inhabit.
Sadly, though, even within this range it’s lost much of its former territory. That’s because the reptile once appeared throughout the region. Unfortunately, though, it’s now been eradicated in much of the area. Due to this, the animal now appears in only a few areas.
Those highly isolated sections of the overall region further consist solely of the islands of Dalupiri, Luzon and Mindanao. Much of those regions, though, now form National Parks. Like most of its relatives, it displays strong preferences for its choice of habitat.
In each area, though, the majestic reptile lives in the same three types of ecosystem. These zones of habitation consist of either marshes, ponds, or freshwater rivers. It also inhabited the same types of ecosystems in the portions of the region from it has been extirpated.
Like others of its kind, this magnificent crocodilian evolved an entirely carnivorous diet. Also like its many kindred around the world, it feeds opportunistically. Due to the nature of its very limited range, though, certain prey understandably forms the bulk of its diet.
This mainly consists of small mammals, aquatic invertebrates, other reptiles, a few birds, and quantities of fish. Here, the Philippine Crocodile displays an unexpected tendency. That’s due to the fact that it intentionally seeks out ailing fish in a higher ratio to others.
3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians
We sincerely hope that you have thoroughly enjoyed reading and learning from this article about 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians. It’s also our hope that it engendered in you a hunger to learn more about these species, and their many relatives.
Sadly, many relatives of these 3 Completely Captivating Crocodilians find themselves in dire straits. Many dangers currently threaten their continued existence. It’s up to each and every one of us to do all that we can to protect and preserve them for our posterity.
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