Bedtime History: Inspirational Stories for Kids and Families All About Crocodiles and Alligators
Dec 1, 2025
Discover the fascinating world of crocodiles and alligators, ancient reptiles that date back to the dinosaurs. Learn about their differences, like size, habitat preferences, and distinctive snouts. Surprisingly, they share a close relation to birds! Uncover their remarkable adaptations, from specialized breathing techniques to thermoregulation. The podcast also delves into their reproduction and how temperature determines the sex of hatchlings. Get ready for an entertaining dive into these incredible creatures!
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Crocodiles Predate Alligators
- Crocodiles appeared about 90 million years ago while alligators appeared about 65 million years ago.
- Both belong to a crocodilian family that dates back roughly 230 million years, linking them to ancient archosaurs.
Birds Are Crocodilians' Closest Relatives
- Birds and crocodilians are the closest living relatives because both descend from archosaurs.
- One branch evolved into flying birds and the other into land/water crocodilians over millions of years.
Size Reflects Predator Role
- Crocodiles grow larger, up to 19 feet and 800–2,000 pounds, while alligators max near 14 feet and 500–1,000 pounds.
- Size differences reflect their ecological roles as apex predators with different prey ranges.