What is Crocodiles or Mugger?
Classification:
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodilia
Genus: Crocodiles.
Habitat: It is found in rivers and lakes of Southern Asia, Africa. Australia, Central America and India. It is commonly called mugger.
Habits:
(i) It is diurnal.
(ii) It walks on land with pentadactyl limbs and swims in water with webbed toes and laterally compressed tail.
(iii) It is carnivorous and is a predator of fishes but also attacks mammals.
(iv) It aestivates in summer season.
(v) Sexes are unisexual and show sexual dimorphism. Male has copulatory organ, penis. Fertilization is internal. Female is oviparous. Development is direct. Female shows maternal care of young ones.
External characters:
(i) Body is divisible into head, neck, trunk and tail.
(ii) Upper part of the body is ‘dark olive brown with black spot.
(iii) Ear opening is small and protected by small flap of skin.
(iv) Tongue is not protrusible.
(v) Tail is long, heavy and laterally compressed.
(vi) Fore limbs and hind limbs are short and pentadactyl, with five fingers and four toes, ending in
claws and with webs
(vii) Heart is 4-chambered with separate ventricles.
Economic importance: Its skin is used for preparing leather goods.
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