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Why do crocodiles look like they haven't changed for millions of years?
Crocodiles already found the perfect way to live millions of years ago, so they still don't need to change.
Crocodiles showed up even before the dinosaurs, about 200 million years ago. Since then, Earth has had earthquakes, ice ages, and huge mass extinctions, but crocodiles are still here.
This is because crocodiles have a really good body. Their strong jaws, tough skin like armour, and their skill at hiding in the water to wait for prey make them amazing hunters. This way of hunting works so well that they don't need to change it.
Scientists call animals like this a 'living fossil'. Actually, some ancestors of crocodiles were very different — some of them even ran on land. But the wet places where crocodiles live today suit them so well that nature never changed them.
Remember: evolution doesn't always mean changing. If an animal has become really good at fitting its home, then staying the same is a success too.
Quick facts
- Crocodiles first appeared about 200 million years ago.
- Crocodiles were around before dinosaurs and survived after the dinosaurs died out.
- Crocodiles have strong jaws and tough skin like armour.
- Crocodiles hunt their prey by hiding and waiting in the water.
- Scientists call animals that barely change a 'living fossil'.
- Some ancient ancestors of crocodiles were different animals that ran on land.
Check what you remember
4 questions — all of them come from the quick facts above. There is no score and no wrong turn.
1. About how many years ago did crocodiles first appear?
2. How do crocodiles catch their prey?
3. What do we call animals that barely change?
4. Which of these is true about crocodiles and dinosaurs?
Where this comes from
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1 tr.wikipedia.org 85/100Crocodiles - Wikipedia
A reliable encyclopedia page with general information about crocodiles.
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2 en.wikipedia.org 80/100Crocodilia - Wikipedia
A detailed source about the evolution and ancestors of crocodiles.
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3 britannica.com 80/100Crocodile - Britannica
A reliable encyclopedia page explaining why crocodiles are a living fossil.
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