Feeding and Breeding Biology of Crocodile.pptx

Crocodiles are large aquatic reptiles that belong to the family Crocodylidae. They are found in tropical regions across Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Known for their powerful jaws, tough skin, and stealthy behavior, crocodiles are apex predators in their ecosystems.

Understanding crocodiles is essential for preserving biodiversity, promoting cultural heritage, supporting local economies, and ensuring human safety. This knowledge forms the basis for effective conservation strategies and sustainable coexistence with these important reptiles.

1. Welcome to our Presentation

2. Presentation on Feeding and breeding biology of Crocodiles

3. At a glance Feeding biology Breeding biology Young crocodile Adult crocodile Eating stone Semi-dormant Hunting process Hunting time Cannibalism Type of crocodile Breeding season Sexual maturity Courtship habits Nesting Egg and incubation Hatching

4. Introduction There are three families of crocodiles, which include a total of 23 species. All of them are reptiles - cold-blooded animals with hard scales and plates on their skin. Crocodiles are fascinating animals that have inhabited our planet for more than 80 million years.

5. Crocodiles are opportunistic feeders. The term "opportunistic" means that they will eat mostly anything they can find. B Feeding is the process by which organisms, typically animals, obtain food.

6. Young Crocodile : Young crocodiles eat insects and small invertebrate animals. They are too small to eat anything larger than this. However, other animals, including birds, fish, turtles and lizards, will eat baby crocodiles! B

7. Adult Crocodile : Adult crocodiles can hunt all kinds of small preys that don't require any chewing, like molluscs , crustaceans and fish. However, they can also hunt animals even bigger than themselves, like buffaloes, zebras and even birds. B

8. Hunting process : Crocodiles move quite slowly. When it comes to hunting big mammals, crocodiles wait completely submerged near the bank. Once the potential prey gets close to the water to drink, the crocodile hunts them by simply lifting its head from the water. B

9. Crocodile hunting time: Crocodilians are most active at night, and consequently, most feeding occurs between dusk and dawn. Crocodiles hunt by stealthily stalking their prey from water. Crocodiles are nocturnal animals. B

10. Crocodile cannibalism : Crocodiles very occasionally turn to cannibalism and eat each other or their offspring . They do this when there’s an absence of prey or food competition, doing what is necessary to survive. B

11. Semi-dormant mood : One of the most characteristic traits of the crocodile is that they have extraordinarily slow digestions. This means that they do not need to feed all that often. A newborn crocodile hatchling, once fed for the first time, can go 4 months without eating. This time becomes longer, not shorter, with age; older crocodiles can spend up to 2 years without feeding. B

12. Eating stones : Crocodiles don't swallow stones out of appreciation for the taste. They do it because the stones help with basic digestion. Rocks in a crocodile's stomach help crush and grate food. B

13. In Biology, breeding means the mating and production of offspring by animals . It can only occur between a male and a female animal. Breeding may include: Animal husbandry uses certain species, including various animals. Breeding in the wild is a mechanism used naturally by animals to reproduce. Breeding biology : B

14. Types of crocodile and geographical location The breeding season varies based on the type of crocodile and geographical range - Saltwater crocodile : The saltwater crocodile inhabits coastal brackish mangrove swamps and river deltas from India's east coast, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh to Myanmar. Ex: Crocodylus porosos . Freshwater crocodile : Freshwater Crocodiles inhabit various freshwater environments, including rivers, creeks, pools , lagoons and swamps. Ex: Crocodylus johnsoni . B

15. Breeding Mechanism : Crocodile 1. Breeding Seasons : Freshwater crocodiles breed during the dry season. The season is mid-summer in the southern hemisphere and mid-winter in the northern hemisphere. Saltwater crocodiles breed during the opposite wet season. B

16. 2. Sexual Maturity : Crocodiles are sexually dimorphic and males are larger than females. crocodiles do not breed until they reach sexual maturity. Maturity is determined by age and size of the crocodile. Males become sexual matured when they are about 3.3 m long and mass of 155 kg . Females are ready to breed when they reach 2.2 to 3 m in length . Sexual maturity of Nile crocodile is obtained from 12 to 16 years of age . B

17. 3. Courtship Habits : Courtship takes place in a series of behavioral interactions that including a variety of snout rubbing and submissive display that can take a long time . The male and female crocodiles engage in courtship in September and October . After the introduction and rubbing, the female will either swim away or raise her body to encourage copulation. The male then mounts the female and proceeds with copulation to fertilize eggs. B

18. 4. Nesting : After mating, females start to build or dig the nest to protect the eggs. There are two main types of nesting known to be used by crocodiles. Females can build or dig several trial nests which appear incomplete and abandoned later. Some crocodiles dig the nest in the ground, place the eggs in, and re-fill it with sand. e.g. Nile Crocodile, freshwater crocodile. Others build a nest above the ground which is a mound of vegetation and soil, deposit the eggs into the mound, and use the suns heat and the decaying vegetation to help aid the development of the embryo. e.g. Saltwater Crocodile B

19. 5. Lay eggs & Incubation : Egg laying usually takes place at night and about 30–40 minutes. A female lays 10 to 60 eggs at a time, depending upon her age, size, and species. Females are highly protective of their nests and young. The average incubation period is around 80 days. Estuarine Crocodiles, the temperature of incubation determines the sex of the hatchlings. B

20. 6. Hatching : Saltwater crocodile eggs take around 80 days to hatch, although incubation time is influenced by incubation temperature - warmer nests have faster development. Once the embryo's metabolism reaches a stage where available resources (e.g. oxygen) cannot be fulfilled, it's time to hatch! B

21. Saltwater crocodile Freshwater crocodile vs Saltwater Crocodile Freshwater Crocodile 1. Bigger than freshwater crocodile. 1. Smaller than saltwater crocodile. 2. They usually hunt large animals such as cattle, buffaloes etc. 2. They eat smaller animals such as insects, fish, frogs etc. 3. They are notorious for attacking and considered man eaters. 3. They are not a serious attacker on humans. 4. They have long snout. 4. Snout is short and slender . 5. Saltwater crocodiles breed during wet season. 5. Freshwater crocodiles breed during the dry season.

22. Crocodiles have an important role in the environment. As adults they regulate the populations of other animals – stopping them from overcrowding and degrading ecosystems. Crocodiles also create habitats for other animals by burrowing and nest building. Another often-heard reason to protect crocodiles in the wild is that these large predators play an important role in maintaining the productivity and diversity of wetland ecosystems on which people depend.   Conclusion :