CLASS: Reptilia ORDER: Crocodilia size: 1.8-7.6 meters (6-25 feet) distribution: Tropical and subtropical regions of Africa and Madagascar. habitat: rivers, lakes, swamps, canals diet: carrion, fish, water birds, mammals, anything it can catch The crocodilian body is adapted for life on land and in the water. Crocodiles have strong legs and feet for moving about on land. Crocodilians raise their bodies well off the ground and can run fast when they need to. Their scales form a tough coat of armor on the body. Powerful jaws and large teeth are good for hunting in the water or along the water's edge. A long, flattened tail is excellent for swimming. The position of the nostrils and eyes enable the crocodile to look around and breathe while most of its body is submerged and hidden. The crocodile's slit-like ears can be closed to keep out water. The skin of crocodilians is made up of tough armor-like scales, especially on the back. The softer belly skin is prized for wallets and purses, and many species of crocodilians were brought to the edge of extinction by overhunting. Today all crocodilians are protected and some species, such as the Mugger Crocodile and the American Alligator, are farmed for their leather and meat. Are Crocodiles dangerous to humans? Most crocodilians are shy, but some have been known to attack people. The American Alligator has taken some human victims, but such attacks are rare. The huge Saltwater Crocodile and the Nile Crocodile are the most dangerous of the crocodilians, and it is not safe to swim in the rivers and waterholes where they live.