Into the Wild with Crocodiles: What Every Kid Should Know

When people talk about dinosaurs, they often say they’re extinct. But did you know that some animals alive today are closely related to dinosaurs? One of the coolest examples is the crocodile! These ancient reptiles have been around since the time of the dinosaurs—and they’re still going strong.

Let’s explore why crocodiles are some of the most powerful and interesting creatures in the animal world.

Crocodiles and Dinosaurs: A Real Connection

Even though crocodiles don’t look like dinosaurs, they are part of the same ancient animal family. In fact, crocodiles are more closely related to birds and dinosaurs than they are to other modern reptiles like lizards or snakes!

They have been around for over 200 million years, which means they survived when the dinosaurs didn’t. That’s pretty amazing!

Masters of the Water

Crocodiles are some of the top hunters in the water. They wait quietly, sometimes for hours, barely showing any movement. Then, when their prey gets close—snap!—they strike in an instant!

Crocodiles eat a wide variety of animals, including:

• Fish and birds

• Reptiles and mammals

• And even sometimes… other crocodiles!

Believe it or not, there have even been times when crocodiles have fought and defeated sharks. Talk about fierce!

A Sneaky and Powerful Hunter

Crocodiles are cold-blooded, which means they don’t need to eat very often. But when they do hunt, they are quick and deadly. Their hunting style is sneaky: they hide under the water, watch, wait, and then use their powerful jaws to catch their prey before it even knows what’s happening.

Because they are so good at staying hidden, crocodiles cause hundreds of injuries and deaths every year in places like Africa and Asia. That’s why people are always taught to be extra careful around rivers and lakes where crocodiles live.

Strong Swimmers and Fast Runners

Crocodiles don’t just move well in the water—they’re fast on land too! They can chase after prey or escape danger quickly by using their strong legs and powerful tail. Most of the time, though, they prefer to rest in the sun to warm their bodies and save energy.

Learn About Ancient Animals with Dinolingo

Do you love animals like crocodiles and maybe even dinosaurs? With Dinolingo, you can learn about these amazing creatures while learning a new language! Dinolingo offers more than 50 language courses for kids ages 2 to 14, and includes games, videos, songs, flashcards, and fun rewards. You can use Dinolingo on the web, iOS, or Android, and even enjoy learning offline. There’s also a helpful parent dashboard to track your progress!

Crocodiles: Ancient, Powerful, and Fascinating

Crocodiles may not be the friendliest animals, but they are definitely fascinating. They’re strong, smart, and ancient creatures that have changed very little over millions of years. Even though we should keep our distance from crocodiles, we can still learn so much about them—and maybe even imagine what it was like when dinosaurs ruled the Earth!