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October 14, 2008
Expert Talk
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Dr. Adam Britton in Audio

We had lots of questions about crocs for Dr. Britton, too. So we recorded a conversation with him where we learned some surprising things about these fascinating creatures. Did you know that crocs can cough up hairballs like a cat? Neither did we. It turns out they can be quite sociable, too. Listen to our audio interview.

The Ultimate Survivors
In the time before dinosaurs roamed, Dr. Britton says, crocodiles were once 40-foot-long terrestrial beasts that more closely resembled lizards. Their ability to adapt to any condition and eat anything is the reason for their success through time.
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Dr. Britton describes how crocs have changed in appearance from prehistoric times to today.
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Crocodile Society
Crocodile size matters in crocodile society, according to Dr. Britton. The largest, strongest male crocs dominate. Some croc species must be competitive to find the best nesting areas.
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Female crocs tend not to be as aggressive as males, but if they need to protect their nest or compete with another croc for a place to nest, things could turn ugly.
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Crocodile Species
Dr. Britton says that the Nile crocodiles featured in Ferocious Crocs are among the largest and most social of the crocodile species.
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While most crocs look very similar, their behavior varies greatly. Dr. Britton explains.
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Croc Eating Habits
Crocs are pretty efficient eaters, according to Dr. Britton. They've got concentrated hydrochloric acid and rocks in their stomachs to help them grind and digest just about anything, including hooves, horns and shells, (but not hair). They can go for as long as 18 months without eating.
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Crocodile Strength
So just how strong is a croc? Dr. Britton says a 16-foot croc can weigh half a ton, but the combination of crocodile speed, the element of surprise and steel-trap jaws is the key to the crocodile's power.
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Crocodile Reputation
Dr. Britton says don't fool yourself into believing crocodiles aren't that dangerous, because they can be deadly. But also keep in mind that they are animals just trying to survive.
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Picture: Courtesy of Dr. Adam Britton |

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