Ferocious survivors

CROCODILE

“Optimism is the faith that leads to achievement” —Helen Keller

"crocodile tears" is a familiar expression right? I am sure most of u have heard of it. But why do people use it? It was a myth that crocodiles cry when they feed on their prey but there is a scientific reason for it. They have glands that produce tears. When a croc is feeding on its prey, it swallows too much air, which forces the glands to produce tears. Since there are no emotions behind these tears, the term "crocodile tears" was given the meaning tears or expression of sorrow that are insincere.

When I saw crocodiles for the first time, I noticed that most of them kept their mouth open. After a bit of research, I found out that crocodiles are like dogs; they do not sweat. Dogs pant to keep themselves cool. Crocs perform a similar process called mouth gaping. Crocodiles have evolved to minimize water loss and maximize heat gain. 

They are nocturnal animals, and spend most of their time underwater. Their jaw is a thing of supreme power and force. The pressure exerted by the bite of a saltwater crocodile is nearly around 3,700 PSI. Fascinating creatures, aren't they! Despite all that power, their jaws can be held together just by a rubber band, their jaw muscles are quite weak. Crocs have about 60-100 teeth at a time, but over their lifetime they have more than 2000 teeth. They swallow their food as a whole, hence; they eat rocks to help them break down their food in their stomach. 

Female crocodiles lay between 10-60 eggs per batch. In humans we have the x and y chromosomes that determine the sex of the offspring, but in the case of crocodiles its temperature of the nest. The temperature of the nest varies from top of the nest to the bottom and males are produced only when the temperature is around 34℃, if the temperature is higher or lower than that the offspring would be a female. 

Crocodilians are the ultimate survival species. They've outlived the dinosaurs and thrive through some of the harshest conditions imaginable. They are confounding and astonishing creatures! I believe they will remain till the end unless we humans continue to contribute to climate change and hunting of these animals.