How do alligators and cocodiles adapt to catching prey?

Answer 1

Most crocodilian species are generalists - they have broad requirements and can adapt if their environment changes. The ability to adapt equals the ability to survive, which we know crocs are particularly good at! Their hunting behavior is no exception, and most species have broad tastes in their food (everything from insects and gastropods to birds and mammals). However, several species are better suited to certain types of prey - caimans and alligators have strong, broad jaws ideal for crushing snails, mussels and turtles; gharials and slender-snouted species have needle-sharp teeth and jaws that sweep effortlessly through the water to snare slippery fish. These differences develop over thousands of years because subtle environmental "pressures" push species to evolve so they can better exploit available resources. For example, if there were high densities of snails but low densities of fish, a species would be better off with strong crushing jaws rather than graceful needle-like noses. So overall each species is very effective at hunting in its own environment. That's all very scientific, but what about some visceral excitement! Seeing a Nile crocodile pluck several hundred kilos of wildebeest or zebra from the bank and flip it into the water like a rag doll is certainly pretty spectacular, and very effective! This crocodile is famous for taking large prey, more so than any other species in fact. One thing people don't often realize is that Nile crocodiles normally eat much smaller prey like fish - wildebeest and zebra are occasional "treats" for most individuals, yet their availability has probably ensured Nile crocodiles developed the means, size and behavior to tackle them.