Crocodylidae

Crocodylidae is a family within the order Crocodilia that comprises the true crocodiles. It is one of the principal lineages of modern crocodilians, distinct from the alligator/caiman lineage (Alligatoridae) and the gharial lineage (Gavialidae). The family is distributed across tropical and subtropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Genera commonly included are Crocodylus (the larger, widely distributed true crocodiles), Mecistops (the slender-snouted crocodile), and Osteolaemus (the dwarf crocodile).

Physically, Crocodylidae species are typically large, with elongated bodies and powerful jaws. They possess tough, scale-covered skin and a strongly armored posture, with skulls adapted for sudden ambush predation. They are highly aquatic, using their eyes and nostrils at the top of the head to watch from the water while remaining largely submerged.

Ecology and behavior: Crocodylidae species are carnivorous ambush predators, feeding on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals. They are primarily solitary, though some species share basking sites. They are oviparous, laying eggs in nests on shore or in vegetation; females guard nesting sites and may assist hatchlings in reaching the water.

Taxonomy within Crocodylidae has undergone revisions. Some classifications place Osteolaeminae and Mecistopinae as subfamilies within Crocodylidae, while others treat them as separate families. The exact composition and limits of the family continue to be refined in light of molecular and morphological studies.

Conservation: Crocodylidae species face threats from habitat destruction, pollution, overhunting for skin, and human-wildlife conflict. Several species are listed as threatened by conservation organizations, reflecting declines in many parts of their range.