Meet Earth's largest living reptile. Crocodile-like animals lived on Earth more than two hundred million years ago. They outlived the dinosaurs. Today their descendants are found on five continents. They belong to a special group of reptiles called crocodilians. These animals are strange and wonderful indeed. For example, ferocious-looking mother alligators treat their hatchlings with tender care. Crocodilians may seem awkward on land, but they can move quickly. Usually they wait and watch from the water, then ambush their prey. From baby alligators that call to "Mom" from inside their eggs to grown alligators and crocodiles that bellow and roar, Laurence Pringle takes readers into the world of nature's largest—and noisiest—living reptiles. Bold, realistic illustrations by Meryl Henderson show every crocodilian species as well as details of their bodies and fascinating behavior.