Are crocodiles similar to dinosaurs?

In fact, crocs as we know them today are actually pretty similar to their ancient ancestors of the Cretaceous period (about 145-166 million years ago) – and to think that these creatures outlived the dinosaurs!

What is the dinosaur version of a crocodile?

Sarcosuchus (/ˌsɑːrkoʊˈsuːkəs/; meaning “flesh crocodile”) is an extinct genus of crocodyliform and distant relative of living crocodylians that lived during the Early Cretaceous, from the late Hauterivian to the early Albian, 133 to 112 million years ago of what is now Africa and South America.

Is a crocodile a reptile or a dinosaur?

For example, dinosaurs are reptiles, a group that also includes turtles, crocodiles and snakes! Although they split off pretty early on, dinosaurs and these animals share common ancestors.

Why does crocodiles have sharp teeth?

Crocodiles are meat-eaters (carnivores). They have 24 sharp teeth which are used for killing of fish, birds, mammals and small crocodile (their prey). Crocodiles don’t chew their food. They sometimes swallow stones to ensure faster grinding of the food in their stomach.

Did crocodiles descend from dinosaurs?

Well, the fact is that dinosaurs, pterosaurs and crocodiles are all descended from archosaurs, the “ruling lizards” of the late Permian and early Triassic periods.

Are crocodiles descendants of dinosaurs?

Dinosaurs among us: Birds and crocodiles are Earth’s living descendants of the dinosaurs that survived the meteorite-triggered mass extinction of 66 million years ago. An international consortium has sequenced the genomes of 48 bird and three crocodile species.

How did crocodiles survive the dinosaur extinction?

Causing plant life and large land animals to die. Crocodiles and Alligators are both scavengers and both live in the water. Living in the water gave them a protection from the elements above and with all the large land dinosaurs dying there was plenty of food for them to survive.

Is crocodile reptile or animal?

Crocodiles are reptiles that belong to the group known as crocodilians . The group of crocodilians also consists of reptiles such as the alligator, caiman, and gharial . Crocodilians are large animals with long, lizard like bodies with short pairs of legs. They have a lizard type shape and long snouts.