Crocodiles (Information report) General Statement Crocodiles are the largest living reptiles and are the closest

relatives to the dinosaurs. There are twenty one species of crocodile in the world. Two of these species are in Australia one lives in salt water, the other in fresh water. Aquatic Creatures The crocodiles natural home is in the water. It can swim at speeds of up to fifteen kilometres per hour. The crocodile lies motionless under water for hours, with just its nostrils and eyes visi le a ove the surface. Its dark rown or green scales lend with the colour of the water so it looks like a floating log. The crocodile can hurl itself out of the water to either gra its prey in its jaws or whip the prey into the water with a flick of its tail. Where found Crocodiles are found only in the tropics where they can keep an even lood temperature. To maintain their temperature, crocodiles spend their time sun aking on river anks and sand ars. Reproduction Crocodiles take good care of their young. The female digs a hole on the river ank, lays forty to fifty eggs and covers them with sand. Then she keeps watch for animals such as goannas that eat crocodile eggs. After twelve weeks, the female digs out the a y crocodiles and gently carries them to the water in her huge jaws. Survival Thousands of Australian crocodiles have een hunted and killed over the years ecause their skins make good leather. Today, there are only a few thousand saltwater crocodiles left. An animal that has survived unchanged since dinosaur days is now threatened y its worst enemy! humans.