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 visible above the surface. Its
dark brown or green scales blend with the colour of the water so it looks
like a floating log. The crocodile can hurl itself out of the water to either
grab 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
blood temperature. To maintain their temperature, crocodiles spend their
time sun baking on river banks and sand bars.

Reproduction
Crocodiles take good care of their young. The female digs a hole on the
river bank, 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 baby crocodiles and gently carries
them to the water in her huge jaws.

Survival
Thousands of Australian crocodiles have been hunted and killed over the
years because 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 by its worst enemy-
humans.