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Three extant crocodilian species clockwise from top-left: saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis), and gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) Crocodilia is an order of mostly large, predatory , semiaquatic reptiles , which includes true crocodiles , the alligators , and caimans ; as well as the gharial ...
Size greatly varies among species, from the dwarf crocodile to the saltwater crocodile. Species of the dwarf crocodile Osteolaemus grow to an adult size of just 1.5 to 1.9 m (4.9 to 6.2 ft), [34] whereas the saltwater crocodile can grow to sizes over 6 m (20 ft) and weigh over 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). [35]
The generic name, Crocodylus, was proposed by Josephus Nicolaus Laurenti in 1768. [2] Crocodylus contains 13–14 extant (living) species and 5 extinct species. There are additional extinct species attributed to the genus Crocodylus that studies have shown no longer belong, although they have not yet been reassigned to new genera. [3]
However, beginning in the late 1980s, many scientists began restricting the order Crocodilia to the living species and close extinct relatives such as Mekosuchus. The various other groups that had previously been known as Crocodilia were moved to Crocodylomorpha and the slightly more restrictive Crocodyliformes . [ 11 ]
Download as PDF; Printable version; ... is a threatened species in Morocco. This list of reptiles of Morocco is an incomplete ... Serpent's Tale Natural History Book ...
The American crocodile is also one of the largest crocodile species, with large males in the southern part of their range reported to approach 6.1 m (20 ft) in size. Based on projections from various skulls, the largest males may have reached 6–7 m (20–23 ft) in length, and their predicted mass reached up to 1,283 kg (2,829 lb). [ 120 ]
Crocodylus porosus, Saltwater crocodile or Estuarine crocodile Crocodylus raninus , Borneo crocodile , is currently considered to be a synonym of Crocodylus porosus ; whether or not it is a distinct species remains unclear.
Growth in hatchlings and young crocodilians depends on the food supply. Animals reach sexual maturity at a certain length, regardless of age. Saltwater crocodiles reach maturity at 2.2–2.5 m (7–8 ft) for females and 3 m (10 ft) for males. Australian freshwater crocodiles take ten years to reach maturity at 1.4 m (4 ft 7 in).