The biggest crocodiles in the world

Most representatives of this species of reptiles cause people the most contradictory feelings: horror, disgust, delight, surprise. Someone likes these both beautiful and terrible creatures, someone would not want to see them at all, but they leave no one indifferent. Different types of crocodiles can be seen not only in the natural habitat, the reserve or the zoo, but also at home with an amateur of exotic animals.

Even the smallest representative of this species casts fear, what to speak of large specimens. The largest crocodiles are crests, they have a fairly wide range of habitats and although they prefer to settle in fresh water bodies, they can also withstand salty sea water. They are found near Sri Lanka, the islands of Indonesia, the northern coast of Australia, the east coast of India, the Solomon Islands and the Philippines.

Adult crested crocodile males grow to 7 m, their weight can reach a ton, females usually less than twice. The average size of males is half a ton of weight and 5 m in length. Young individuals stand out in a light yellow color, dark strips and spots along the body. With age, the largest crocodiles darken, but the belly still remains bright - white or yellow.

If we consider specific representatives of this species, then we should distinguish three of the largest reptiles. On the third place is an Australian named Brutus. Its length is 5.5 m, the crocodile is known for enjoying jumping for meat, which is kindly offered to him from tourist boats. Look at the delightful jumps going to a lot of travelers. Many did not believe in its existence, arguing that such crocodiles can not live in nature. The photos made by the employees of the travel company dispelled all doubts. Brutus can be recognized from thousands of his kind, because he does not have a front leg, they say, he lost it during a fight with a shark.

The second place is occupied by a reptile named Lolong, he comes from the Philippines. Its length is 6 m 19 cm, and the weight is more than a ton. Every day about 500 people come to this miracle of nature. Many researchers agree that the largest crocodiles live near the shores of the Philippines. The recently taken giant 6,5 m long only confirms this point of view. But still the palm was won by the Nile crocodile named Gustav, its length is about 7 m. According to local legends, the giant is already about 60 years old, in his long age he managed to eat one huge hippopotamus and about 300 people. Gustav kept in fear the whole district, he was tried to catch him since 1998. Now the giant lives in a protected area, where he is closely watched.

The largest crocodiles include in their diet not only small animals such as birds, snakes, turtles, monitor lizards, fish, but also livestock, wild pigs, antelopes, monkeys, buffaloes. Hunts for a victim of a reptile near a watering place: when the animal comes too close, the predator grabs him by the muzzle, and strikes the tail with his tail. Then the crocodile drags the prey under the water so that it drowns. In the daytime it is basking in the sun in the water or on the shore, but it's not worth getting too close to the reptile, it can attack a person.