Versatility is key to crocs’ long survival
CROCODILES survived the dinosaur- kil ling asteroid because of their “versatile lifestyles”.
They can live both in and out of water, survive serious injury and need less food than warmblooded creatures.
A study found crocs have a “punctuated equilibrium” pattern of evolution, changing more in warm eras than cold ones.
It also notes that only 24 species of crocodilian remain, whereas younger groups such as birds number in the thousands.
Lead author Dr Max Stockdale, of the University of Bristol, said: “Crocodiles landed upon a lifestyle that was versatile enough to adapt to the enormous environmental changes... since the dinosaurs.”