What is a crocodilian?

1 Answer
Oct 22, 2014

Crocodilians (Crocodilia) are a group of reptiles that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans and the gharial. They are semiaquatic.

Taking babies for a ride.
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Crocodilians first appeared about 84 million years ago during the late Cretaceous. Crocodilians are diapsids, a group of reptiles that possess two holes on each side of their skull.

Other diapsids include dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and the squamates, a group that encompasses modern lizards, snakes and worm lizards.

They usually feed on live animals such as birds, small mammals and fish. They will, at times, feed on dead animals.

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