Have you ever stared at a crocodile and thought, “Wow… this thing looks like it came straight out of the dinosaur age”? You’re not wrong. These sharp-toothed reptiles are ancient — older than the Himalayas, older than your history textbook, even older than dinosaurs! And on June 17, the world stops to celebrate them on World Crocodile Day.Crocodiles have been around for over 200 million years — which means they once shared the Earth with dinosaurs! That makes them what scientists call “living fossils.” But unlike the T. rex, crocodiles survived whatever wiped out the giant beasts. They adapted, evolved, and today they rule the rivers, lakes, and swamps of the world with silent strength and ancient wisdom.What makes crocodiles so cool? For one, they’re incredible hunters. A crocodile doesn’t chase its prey. Instead, it waits. Perfectly still. Camouflaged in the water like a floating log. Then, at the perfect moment — SNAP! — its jaws slam shut with a force strong enough to crush bone. Their bite is one of the most powerful in the animal kingdom. But here’s a surprise: while crocs have super strong jaw-closing muscles, the ones used to open their jaws are so weak that even tape can hold their mouth shut. Still, please don’t try that with a real crocodile!Crocodiles are cold-blooded reptiles, which means their body temperature depends on their surroundings. That’s why you often see them basking in the sun, mouths open — they’re not smiling for selfies; they’re cooling off. When it gets too hot, they slip back into the water to chill out.There are 23 species of crocodilians — this group includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. The biggest of them all is the saltwater crocodile, which can grow over six metres long and weigh as much as a small car! These giants live in rivers and coastal areas across Southeast Asia and northern Australia. In India, three kinds are found: the mugger crocodile, the saltwater crocodile, and the long-snouted gharial — which is especially good at catching fish. Sadly, gharials are critically endangered, and World Croc Day also reminds us to help protect them before it’s too late.Here’s something else to blow your mind: crocodiles can go months without food. Since they’re cold-blooded, they don’t burn much energy and can survive on just a few meals a year. Their stomachs are so powerful, they can digest bone, shells, and even hooves!And although they may look scary, crocodile mums are surprisingly caring. After laying eggs, a mother guards her nest fiercely. When the babies hatch, she gently carries them in her mouth down to the water. The hatchlings chirp and squeak, and the mother responds — not what you’d expect from a fierce reptile!So this World Croc Day, take a moment to appreciate these amazing survivors. They’re not just toothy beasts from scary stories — they’re nature’s ancient architects, expert hunters, and surprisingly clever carers. Snap goes the jaw!A crocodile’s bite is one of the strongest in the animal kingdom — strong enough to crush bones. Ancient survivorsCrocodiles have been around for more than 200 million years. They outlived the dinosaurs and didn’t even break a sweat. Floating with just their eyesOnly the eyes and nostrils of a crocodile are visible above water when they’re hiding. It’s the perfect way to spy without being seen. Crocodile tears? Not reallyThey do shed tears, but not because they’re sad. It happens when they eat, due to pressure on their tear glands. Fast in short burstsOn land, a crocodile may look slow — but they can sprint up to 17 km/h in short bursts if startled. Tooth trouble? No problem!Crocodiles can go through 4,000–6,000 teeth in their lifetime. When one tooth falls out, another is ready to take its place.Mum of the yearUnlike most reptiles, crocodile mums guard their nests and help their babies reach the water safely — often carrying them gently in their mouths! Crocodile vs Alligator: What’s the difference?At first glance, crocodiles and alligators look like twins — both have long bodies, scaly skin, and mighty jaws. But if you look closely, you’ll spot a few key differences.Snout shape: Crocodiles have a longer, V-shaped snout, while alligators have a wider, U-shaped one. Think of it like sharp vs round.Where they live: Crocodiles prefer salty or brackish water and are found in parts of Africa, Asia, Australia — and even India. Alligators stick to freshwater and are mainly found in the United States and China.Toothy smile: When a crocodile closes its mouth, you can still see some of its bottom teeth poking out. In alligators, the top jaw hides the bottom teeth neatly.Temperament: Crocodiles are more aggressive and unpredictable, while alligators are generally more shy around humans — though both are wild animals and should always be treated with caution.Colour: Crocodiles usually appear lighter, in greyish or olive shades, while alligators are darker, almost blackish-grey.
