Crocodile Day History | Crocodile Characteristics | Habitat | Conservation | Alligator Vs Crocodile

The World Crocodile Day is celebrated annually on June 17^th. Its purpose is to raise awareness about Crocodile Conservation and Crocodile Habitat. This day aims to highlight the plight of endangered species of crocodiles worldwide. These can easily be confused with Alligators. However, there is a certain difference between an alligator and Crocodile. However, Alligator Vs Crocodile, the main difference is due to their snout. Crocodile Characteristics also vary in species.

World Sea Turtle Day

World Crocodile Day

The World Crocodile Day started by the Crocodile Research Coalition (CRC). CRC is an organization which is working to promote the conservation and crocodile habitat. It is a Belize-based organization that works with the collaboration of Belize Zoo. The first World Crocodile Day started in 2017.

Alligator Vs Crocodile

Crocodiles belong to the family Crocodylidae or true Crocodiles. They are large semiaquatic reptiles. Sometimes, the term Crocodile includes all extant members of the order Crocodilia. The order Crocodilia includes the alligators and caimans, the gharial and false gharial.

Although Crocodiles, alligator, and gharial apparently look similar, but they belong to separate families. Caimans are also a type of alligator. So, Caimans and alligators belong to the family Alligatoridae. On the other hand, Gharial belongs to the family Gavialidae.

Alligator Vs crocodile relates to snout and other crocodile characteristics. Crocodiles have a long, pointed, and V-shaped snout. On the other hand, alligators have wide, rounded, and U-shaped snouts. In addition, there is also a difference between crocodile and Gharial. Gharials have a very long, narrow snout with numerous sharp teeth.

کوہ سلیمان میں کیا مگر مچھ موجود ہیں؟ ڈان کی خصوصی رپورٹ

Crocodile Characteristics

Crocodiles are large and lizard-shaped reptiles with different crocodile characteristics. Moreover, they have elongated, muscular bodies with thick, scaly skin. They have long snout or muzzle. Generally, their body is covered with scales that are arranged in a regular pattern. Their unique body allows the eyes, ears, and nostrils to be above the water surface. Most of the animal is hidden below the water.

They have short legs with clawed webbed toes. These webbed toes allow them to maneuver through water. They have powerful jaws with many conical teeth. Due to these teeth, they can bite strongly and tear flesh.  So, they can eat insects, fish, small frogs, lizards, crustaceans, and small mammals. They can kill and eat large mammals such as zebras, wildebeests, and even humans. On the other hand, their teeth keep on replacing throughout their lives. Their size varies among Species from Dwarf Crocodiles to Saltwater Crocodiles. They have a long and massive tail.

Furthermore, they have a palatal flap.  It is a rigid tissue at the back of the mouth that blocks the entry of water. This palatal flap separates the oral cavity from the nasal cavity. Furthermore, Mostly Crocodiles are nocturnal animals. They are predators.

Crocodiles Habitat and Distribution

Crocodiles are cold-blooded animals. So, they rely on external sources of heat to regulate their body temperature. This affects the crocodile habitat. Crocodiles exist in the lowland, humid tropics of the Northern and Southern hemispheres. These are semiaquatic. So, they live in freshwater environments such as rivers, lakes, wetlands, mangroves, and swamps. Sometimes, saltwater and brackish water is also crocodile habitat.

تین دہائیوں بعد پنجاب میں گھڑیال کی موجودگی کی تصدیق

Crocodiles are swimmers. Thus, they can travel long distances in search of food or new habitats. They live throughout the tropics in Africa, America, Australia, and Asia. Caimans are confined to tropical areas of Central and South America.  However, the gharial exists in Pakistan, India, Nepal, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Some species have adapted to human-modified environments also. These include reservoirs, irrigation canals, and even urban areas where suitable water bodies are present.

Crocodiles Conservation

Illegal Hunting along with habitat destruction is the major threat. Sometimes, fishing is also a threat as fishermen kill crocodiles. This requires anti-poaching measures along with community involvement. Moreover, it also requires research and monitoring. Crocodile Research Coalition and other organizations are working on this.

Editor In Chief

Dr. Jassar Aftab is a qualified Veterinarian having expertise in veterinary communication. He is a renowned veterinary Journalist of Pakistan. He is veterinary columnist, veterinary writer and veterinary analyst. He is the author of three books. He has written a number of articles and columns on different topics related to livestock, dairy, poultry, wildlife, fisheries, food security and different aspects of animal sciences and veterinary education.

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