You Can't Make This Stuff Up!

[Lee Stewart]

Great White Sharks have been given the moniker of the most dangerous animals in the ocean. But it isn't true.



That title is held by Killer Whales. The only reason the Great White gets it because of the handful of shark attacks against humans each year, where as there are no recorded attacks by Killer Whales on humans in the wild. Killer Whales hunt sharks along with large water mammals.

[Lee Stewart]

The saltwater crocodile is the largest aquatic reptile on Earth. It can reach lengths of more than 23 feet (7m) and weights over 2,200 pounds (1,000kg).

[Lee Stewart]

Ever heard about the expression "Crocodile tears"? In our culture, it means showing insincere remorse and comes from the fact that crocodiles produce tears when they eat their prey. However, it doesn't mean they actually cry.

UF zoologist Kent Vliet carried out a study and found the tears in crocodiles may occur as a result of the reptiles hissing and huffing, a behavior that often accompanies feeding. Air forced through the sinuses may mix with tears in the crocodiles' lacrimal, or tear, glands emptying into the eye.

The glands produce a fluid that helps to clean the eye and lubricate the passage of the nictitating membrane across the eye's surface.

[Lee Stewart]

Crocodiles' jaws can't move sideways, meaning these reptiles can't grind food down in a traditional chewing motion.

Most of them tear off chunks from their prey and then swallow them whole. It isn't difficult for them, since crocodiles have the strongest bite in the animal world.

[Lee Stewart]

Crocodiles can hold their breath underwater for at least one hour without coming up for a breath of air as they can reduce their heart rate to 2-3 beats per minute. Researchers found that the reptiles can adjust their oxygen consumption, enabling them to dive for longer.

The longest recorded time a crocodile held its breath is eight hours in cold water, as they use less energy and oxygen compared to when they are in warm water.

[Lee Stewart]

A crocodile's heart has four chambers with two atria and two ventricles. Unlike birds and mammals, which have a single aorta - the main artery that supplies blood to the circulatory system - crocodiles have two.

It is considered to be the most sophisticated heart in the animal world.

[Lee Stewart]

In most parts of the world, it is illegal to hunt crocodiles for their skin. Under the Endangered Species Act, it is illegal to bring into the United States many products made from the skin of alligators, crocodiles or related reptiles called caimans.

Items made from the American alligator can be brought into the country as long as they are for personal, non commercial use. The skins of most crocodile species are prohibited.

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]

[Lee Stewart]