crocodile

Introduction
General features
- Size range and diversity of structure
- Distribution and abundance
Natural history
- Life cycle
- Behavior
- Locomotion
- Reproduction
- Ecology
Form and function
Evolution and classification
- Paleontology
- Distinguishing taxonomic features
- Annotated classification
- Critical appraisal

References & Edit History Quick Facts & Related Topics

Images & Videos

Illustration of an estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) with its mouth open, showing scaly skin and powerful limbs, alongside a scale bar for size reference.

Illustration of a Mississippi or American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) with its mouth open, showing a broad snout, armored body, and thick tail, alongside a scale bar for size reference.

Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) with mouth wide open, displaying sharp teeth, lies on a muddy riverbank in sunlight at Pilanesberg National Park.

estuarine crocodile, or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)

Close-up of two green gharials crocodiles, or the scientifc name Gavialis gangeticus, resting in shallow water, showing their long, narrow snouts and textured greenish skin.

American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis)

A Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) rests on sandy ground near a concrete wall, its body stretched out with head slightly raised.

Witness a crocodile hatchling emerge from its egg and call for its mother

At a Glance

crocodile summary

Quizzes

Sea otter (Enhydra lutris), also called great sea otter, rare, completely marine otter of the northern Pacific, usually found in kelp beds. Floats on back. Looks like sea otter laughing. saltwater otters

Animal Group Names

Deadliest Animals Quiz

Young chimpanzee dressed in a shirt and sweater vest, scratching his head thinking. (primates)

Wild Words from the Animal Kingdom Vocabulary Quiz

The cheetah is the fastest land animal over short distances. It has become an endangered species in Africa, and is almost extinct in Asia. Cheetah mother with young. Cheetah cubs

Moms of the Animal Kingdom Quiz

Match the Baby Animal to Its Mama Quiz

Related Questions

Are crocodiles active mostly during the day or at night?
Can American crocodiles reproduce without fertilization?
Can crocodiles recognize people who care for them in captivity?
Do male crocodiles help care for hatchlings?
How are crocodiles different from alligators?
How can the shape of a crocodile’s snout help distinguish it from an alligator’s?
How did hunting for crocodile skins affect crocodile populations?
How do Nile crocodiles build their nests?
How do crocodiles capture animals that come to drink at the water’s edge?
How do crocodiles communicate with vocalizations?
How do crocodiles court and mate?
How do crocodiles find prey in dark or murky water?
How do crocodiles regulate their body temperature?
How do estuarine crocodiles build their nests?
How do glands in a crocodile’s tongue help it survive in salty water?
How do mother crocodiles help their hatchlings leave the nest?
How does the freshwater crocodile survive dry seasons in northern Australia?
How far can crocodiles travel over land?
How have habitat protection and trade regulations helped crocodile populations recover?
How is the gharial adapted for catching fish?
How long does it take crocodile eggs to hatch?
How long have crocodile relatives existed on Earth?
How many eggs does a female crocodile usually lay in one nest?
How many sensory hair cells does a caiman’s cochlea contain?
How well can crocodiles hear sounds?
What do crocodiles eat at different stages of life?
Which crocodile species are known to attack people most often?
Which crocodile species is the largest living reptile?
Which crocodilian species are critically endangered?
Why are crocodile eggs and hatchlings more vulnerable than adult crocodiles?
Why can cane toads be dangerous to freshwater crocodiles?
Why can some crocodiles live in saltwater as well as freshwater?
Why do crocodile hatchlings make squeaking sounds before they emerge?
Why do crocodiles bask in the sun?
Why do crocodiles roar during the breeding season?
Why do crocodiles spin rapidly in the water while holding large prey?
Why have crocodile populations declined in many parts of the world?
Why is the Philippine crocodile critically endangered?
Why is the fourth lower tooth often visible when a crocodile closes its mouth?
What do turtles eat?
How do turtle eggs hatch?
How fast do snakes grow?
What is molting in snakes?
Is Mosasaurus bigger than a megalodon?
How did most dinosaurs go extinct?
Did dinosaurs have feathers?
What is the main characteristics that define vertebrates?
How are vertebrates classified in terms of their morphology?
How do amphibians differ from reptiles in terms of reproduction?

Science Birds, Reptiles & Other Vertebrates Reptiles

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External Websites

LiveScience - Crocodiles: Facts and Pictures
The Royal Society Publishing - Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B - Active crocodiles are less sociable
K12 LibreTexts - Crocodilia
National Center for Biotechnology Information - PubMed Central - The evolution of crocodilian nesting ecology and behavior
Animal Corner - Crocodile
San Diego Zoo Animals and Plants - Crocodilian
Better Planet Education - Crocodile - Overview

Britannica Websites

Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students.

crocodile - Children's Encyclopedia (Ages 8-11)
crocodile - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)

crocodile

reptile order, Crocodylia

Also known as: Crocodilia, Crocodylia, crocodilian

Written by

Heinz Fritz Wermuth

Former Curator of Herpetology, State Museum of Natural History, Ludwigsburg, West Germany. Coauthor of Schildkröten, Krokodile, Brückenechsen.

Heinz Fritz WermuthAll

Fact-checked by

Britannica Editors

Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....

Britannica Editors

History

crocodile, (order Crocodylia, or Crocodilia), any of about 27 species of generally large, ponderous, amphibious animals of lizard-like appearance and carnivorous habit belonging to the reptile order Crocodylia. Crocodiles have powerful jaws with many conical teeth and short legs with clawed webbed toes. They share a unique body form that allows the eyes, ears, and nostrils to be above the water surface while most of the animal is hidden below. The tail is long and...

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