Crocodiles and alligators are powerful predators. They will attack and eat other large animals—including humans. All these fierce reptiles have long, scaly bodies with thick, bony plates on their backs. They live close by rivers, lakes and estuaries in tropical regions in many parts of the world. Their eyes, ears and nostrils are on the tops of their heads so that they can lie in wait almost completely under the water—out of sight from their unwitting prey.

Hatchlings

Crocodiles are protective of their young. The female lays her eggs in a pit near the water’s edge and covers them over. She guards them from predators.

After about three months, the hatchlings call out to her from inside the eggs. After they hatch, she carries her young inside her mouth to a safe “nursery area”. Here she looks after them for up to six months. Young crocodiles eat crabs or frogs. Older ones feed on fish or animals that already been killed.

Hunting

Adult crocodiles and alligators feed on fish most of the time. They sometimes feed on large mammals that come down to the water to drink. Seizing their prey in their jaws, the crocodiles pull them below water until they drown. Unable to chew, they bite off large chunks to swallow whole.