Baku, April 19, AZERTAC Crocodiles (order Crocodylia, or Crocodilia), any of 23 species of generally large, ponderous, amphibious animals of lizard-like appearance.Crocodiles have powerful jaws with many conical teeth and short legs with clawed webbed toes.They share a unique body form that allows the eyes, ears, and nostrils to be above the water surface while most of the animal is hidden below. Their tail is long and massive, and the skin is thick and plated.According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, Crocodiles are the largest and the heaviest of present-day reptiles.The largest representatives, the Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) of Africa and the estuarine (or saltwater) crocodile (C. porosus) of Australia, attain lengths of up to 6 metres (20 feet) and weigh over 1,000 kg (about 2,200 pounds).The Nile crocodile is considered as one of the world’s most vicious predators.A ruthless killer, the Nile crocodile will attack almost anything that gets in its way, including zebras, small hippos, porcupines, birds, and other crocodiles. It will also scavenge carrion, and can eat up to half its body weight at a feeding.However, despite being a fearsome predator, the Nile crocodile, in fact, is a caring and attentive parent.The National Geographic says that the giant reptiles ferociously guard their nests until the eggs hatch, and they will often roll the eggs gently in their mouths to help hatching babies emerge.