As they age, one by one they start losing their deadly teeth. The female crocodile digs a hole a couple of yards from the river bank and up to 20 inches deep, and lays between 25 and 80 eggs. With their impressive hunting tactics, enormous size and muscle, as well as their social habits, it’s no wonder they’ve been around for centuries. Crocworld, in South Africa, has said the resident crocodile living in the Okavango Delta has been around since 1900. Grayish green color; Fourth tooth on lower jaw exposed when mouth is closed ; Narrow tapered snout; Young are light with dark stripes; Alligator. Given that there are 13 species of crocodile, the average lifespan varies. Alligators heavily outnumber crocodiles in the US. Of course, the crocodiles that are a little bit larger can live longer. While the American crocodile (Crocodylus acu-tus) can reach lengths of up to 4 m, the Morelets crocodile (Crocodylus moreletti) is a slightly smaller species attaining lengths up to 3 m (Brazaitis 1973). 1,000 to 2,000 American crocodiles live in Mexico and Central and South America, but populations are data deficient. Crocodiles are one of the most famous reptiles that belong to the crocodilian family. Their well-evolved bodies and digestive systems keep them on track and protect them from danger. In addition, the Saltwater crocodile has an average lifespan of 70 and there are unconfirmed reports that some of them have reached the age of 100. African Dwarf Crocodile habitat: The African Dwarf crocodiles often found across the tropical regions of Sub-Saharan West Africa and Central Africa. Hopefully, they have the chance to live a long and happy life. The American crocodile has They live in brackish or saltwater areas, and can be found in ponds, coves and creeks in mangrove swamps. It’s then able to survive up to 2 years without having a meal. ORIGIN: The habitat of the powerful crocodile consists largely of coastal areas. The crocodile’s body has been evolving for millions of years. Discover How Long American crocodile Lives. In reality, the physical effects of ageing cause the death of crocs. With a proper diet, crocodiles in captivity can double their lifespan. America's crocodiles came out of Africa published : 24 Jul 2020 at 09:45 writer: AFP . So we know they’ve been around for years, but to what age does the croc actually live to? If you are asking yourself “how long do crocodiles live?”, you should take a few things into account. They grow up quickly and reach full size, when they have their chance to procreate. Mr. Freshie miraculously lived to the ripe age of between 120-140 years, despite hunters shooting twice at the animal. Gestation: 2-3 month egg incubation. Other Names. They’ve become natural enemies on their own. Pseudoscience has led many people into believing that crocodiles are immortal. Each species possesses unique physical characteristics. Some crocodiles will gradually start developing cataracts. These rings occur in the bones and teeth of the crocodile. Editorial Team at Africa Freak is a group of expert Africa writers and influencers. Learn how your comment data is processed. We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. Crocodiles have the distance relationship with the reptiles from the prehistoric … On occasion they have been seen to eat carrion. There are cases of roadkills too. Types of Crocodiles. As the famous song goes, ‘it’s the circle of life’, and nature knows best! Male crocodiles begin courting females in late January and early February. And the American crocodile lives to a maximum of 70 years old. These animals are easily recognized due to their specific appearance – very long body with a long tail and strong jaws filled with sharp and powerful teeth. Let’s take a closer look at a crocodile’s lifespan and what plays a role in keeping these reptiles alive. For instance, the Nile Crocodile lives between 60 and 70 years just like the American crocodile. Lifespan: 60 to 70 yrs; Habitat: Coastal waters and wetlands; Diet: Fish, turtles, crabs, birds, and other aquatic animals; Risk Status: Species at Risk (IUCN—Vulnerable) Range: Southern Florida, Central America, and northern South America https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/reptiles/american-crocodile Crocodiles have been on our planet for many millennia. The most used technique is to measure the lamellar growth rings. At first glance crocodiles can be difficult to distinguish from alligators, but closer inspection reveals several important differences. Crocs belong to the group of semi-aquatic animals which means that they live in the water but they have to go out from time to time. Young American crocodiles have not yet developed the size and strength necessary to protect themselves from predators. The American crocodile is lizard-shaped with a long, muscular tail and four short legs that have five toes on the front feet and four on the back feet. Second-biggest croc in the world … The American crocodile is a carnivore. In extreme situations, the croc’s body can also shut down. The largest populations occurred in the broad marl prairies to the east and west of the southern ridge and slough and to the mangrove estuaries inhabited by crocodiles. Mit dem Alter verblasst die Zeichnung bei den meisten Exemplaren, wodurch erwachsene Krokodile meistens einheitlich oliv- bis grau-braun sind. For 3 months, the mother crocodile guards the eggs ferociously from predators. South Florida is the only place where you can find both crocodiles and alligators. What we do know though, is that animals tend to live much longer in captivity than in the wild. Lifespan: 60-70 years. Humans hunt crocodiles for different reasons and they are also limiting their natural habitat. Take for example the largest of the croc species, the saltwater crocodile. During this shutdown period, the crocodile will use up its own tissue as an energy form. Their tail is one of the most important parts of their body because they use it to swim and to get “boost” when they are attacking other animals. The American Crocodile's life cycle usually consists of a lifespan up to 100 years! On average, the lifespan of the saltwater crocodile and the American crocodile is approximately 70 years. The bones and teeth grow one new ring each year, typically between the dry and wet seasons. They are occasionally found inland in freshwater areas along the southeast Florida coast as a result of the state’s extensive canal system. However, smaller croc species aren’t too lucky. Clutch Size: 35-50 eggs Fun Facts • Crocodiles are the only reptiles with a cerebral cortex. Crocodiles, in the form we recognize them today, have roamed the earth for 80 million years. AFP - July 24, 2020 10:23 AM. Crocs are lucky to have a long life. Multiple females may nest together. Females: 2.5 to 3 m. Weight. This is the part of the brain that plays a role in memory, learning, communication and pain. Unfortunately, that’s not the case. 2009). 2. However, desperate big cats, such as jaguars and leopards, will sometimes have their go at attacking a vulnerable crocodile. But once all the fun is over, they gradually get older and weaker and nevertheless die. This is due to their vulnerability at their hatching size. 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