The back skin or “hornback” is covered in bones (called osteoderms) and has been used by some tribal people as protection against spears, arrows and even bullets.
The word crocodile originates from the Ancient Greek word crocodilos, which means “lizard.”
Crocodiles have a much more powerful bite than caimans or alligators. In fact a croc bite is the strongest bite of any animal in the world and that includes the great white shark.
Crocs are poikilothermic (cold blooded), they have a very slow metabolism and can survive for up to 2 years without any food.
70 years is the average lifespan of a croc. Some crocodiles are thought to be more than 100 years old. “Mr Freshy” in the Australian zoo was rescued by Bob and Steve Irwin and is estimated to be 130 years old.
