 | Quick Facts |  |
|  | Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Reptilia
Order: Crocodylia
| |  |
|
Order Crocodylia
Alligators (1)
Crocodiles (3)
The 22 existing members of the order Crocodylia are among the oldest species on earth. Despite their ties to the ancient past, they have characteristics that are more advanced than any other living reptiles. For example, the brain of crocodilians has a true cerebral cortex, which allows them to learn rather than just react instinctively. This is one of the reasons that alligators and crocodiles are among the most successful and efficient predators alive today. Crocodilians have webbed back feet, eyes and ears on the top of their head, and a modified circulatory system to provide the most oxygen to the brain. All these help the crocodilians to live successfully in the water.
|
|
