CROCODILIAN CONGREGATION

Crocodilian Congregation, acrylic on canvas, 2022. 23.5" X 33"

There are three subgroups in the crocodilian family, which include the 17 species of crocodiles themselves, the eight species of alligators and caimans, and the two species of gharials. Crocodilians are found in all tropical and subtropical regions of the world. They are powerful predators, equally at home on land and in water.

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest crocodilian, measuring up to 6 meters or more in length. A powerful ambush predator, its jaws had the strongest bite of any living animal. Unlike most crocodiles, the saltwater crocodile also inhabits brackish and salt water habitats like mangrove swamps, river deltas and even open beaches. It can be found from eastern India to Southeast Asia and northern Australia.

Behind the tree is a Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis), one of the world's only two species of alligator beside the American alligator. It rests in burrows in winter and is nocturnal in summer. Living in fresh water, the Chinese alligator's range is restricted to six regions in Anhui province, as well as possibly the provinces of Jiangsu and Zhejiang. A critically endangered species, multiple conservation actions have been taking place for the survival of this alligator.

The American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) differs from most crocodilians in having a shorter, rounded snout and the teeth on the lower jaw being hidden when the animal’s mouth is closed. They inhabit swamps, streams, rivers, ponds, and lakes in the southeastern United States.

The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a species of crocodilian that is distinct from most other crocodilians for its long, narrow snout and needle-like teeth. These features do not suit the lifestyle of most crocodilians which hunt large prey, making the gharial well-adapted for catching fish. The gharial has 110 interlocking teeth lining its jaw which are adapted to impale and trap fish in its jaws. The gharial got its name from the unusual upturned pot-like structure on its nose which males have when reaching maturity. This structure enables male gharials to communicate with others of its kind. The gharial is regarded by Hindus as the vehicle of the river goddess Ganga, the personification of the Ganges river in India where it lived.

The black caiman (Melanosuchus niger) is the largest of the six species of caiman and in the alligator family, rivaled only by the American alligator. Growing up to 6 meters (20 feet) in length, it is named for the adult's dark brown color, with creamy patches on its chin and underside. An apex predator, it is one of the largest reptiles in South America.

The Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus) is found in the African continent where it is present in 26 countries. It is the largest freshwater predator in Africa, and may be considered the second-largest reptile in the world, after the saltwater crocodile. A relatively social reptile, it lives in large groups. The individual pictured is seen carrying some newly-hatched hatchlings in its mouth while leading them to the water. The crocodile also uses its jaws to crack unhatched eggshells to help the hatchlings come out. 

The African dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis, left) is the world's smallest species of crocodile, growing only up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length. It is a timid and mainly nocturnal reptile that spends most of the day hidden in pools or burrows, though it may occasionally be active at daytime. As a result of its small size and increased vulnerability to predation, this species of crocodile has a heavily-armored neck, back, and tail and also has hard scales on its belly and underside of neck. 

The Philippine crocodile (Crocodylus mindorensis, right) is one of two species of crocodiles found in the Philippine islands; the other is the saltwater crocodile. A relatively small freshwater crocodile, it is the country's only endemic species of crocodile. Philippine crocodiles are golden-brown in color and grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) long. This crocodile is critically endangered due to exploitation and unsustainable fishing methods, and conservation efforts have been made to save the species.

The false gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii, Buaya Julung-julung/Jenjulung in Malay) is a close relative of the Indian gharial and the only other species in the gharial family. However, unlike the gharial, it is a predator that also eats larger prey including monkeys, deer, birds and other reptiles, despite its narrow snout and long, needle-like interlocking teeth. It is dark reddish-brown above with dark brown or black spots and cross-bands on the back and tail. False gharials are found in peninsular Malaysia, Sarawak, and Indonesia (Sumatra, and Borneo).