The power of an amulet made from a shark or crocodile tooth. How many teeth does a crocodile have? And other interesting facts What are such talismans used for?
The history of the origin of crocodiles dates back to 200 million years ago. This was the end of the era of lizards. Their paws then were somewhat longer than those of today, and their muzzles were short. But unlike today's crocodiles, which prefer water more, those individuals lived on land.
Crocodiles are representatives of archosaurs, the only ones that lived to today. Over millions of years, they have hardly changed in appearance. These are highly developed reptiles. Externally they look like a lizard. The color is greenish-brown. The weight of an adult crocodile is 500-600 kg. Body length 3-8 meters. An elongated muzzle that allows you to deftly grab prey and hold it tightly. Highly developed brain. Excellent memory. Eyes with narrow pupils protrude above the level of the head.
The teeth are sharp, different sizes, hollow. New teeth grow in this cavity. There are 64-70 teeth in total. The exact amount depends on the type of individual. Although the crocodile's mouth sharp teeth and looks scary, but he doesn't chew his prey. The teeth are needed, rather, to hold it, then the prey is simply swallowed. In a crocodile they change several times throughout their life.
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The nasopharynx is separated from oral cavity sky. In this regard, the individual can, with its mouth open in the water, inhale air through its nostrils, which remain above the surface of the water.
The crocodile has a powerful tail. Short, webbed feet. However, it can reach speeds of up to 20 km/h. Leather – horny plates rectangular shape, arranged in perfectly straight rows. There is a special valve above the throat that does not allow water to pass through, and air enters through the nasopharynx behind the valve.
Stones in the stomach of a crocodile
This animal keen hearing and excellent vision. Stones are constantly present in the thick-walled stomach of the individual. Some claim that they are needed for grinding rough food, others claim that stones in the stomachs give the crocodile balance and stability when in water.
These predators do not have a bladder. Unique circulatory system- a four-chambered heart, and the blood supply is regulated by a special mechanism for mixing blood from veins and arteries. A crocodile's lungs can hold large number air.
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Crocodiles take procreation very seriously. They become overly active, males become aggressive. Rival fights often occur where crocodiles attack each other serious damage. With the help of certain sounds, males invite females.
The glands in the throat secrete a musky secretion. The female, preparing for procreation, prepares a mound near the water one to two meters high from branches, mud and mud. Then he makes a hole in it. Then it lays from 30 to 80 oval-shaped eggs in it. The female “insulates” the laid eggs with grass, branches and protects her offspring. The nest should always have a moist environment. To do this, the female regularly hits the water with her tail, spraying the nest.
Crocodiles occupy special position among modern reptiles, being closer relatives of extinct dinosaurs, which survived by almost 60 million years, and modern birds than other reptiles of our time. A number of features of the organization of crocodiles, and first of all the perfection of the nervous, circulatory and respiratory systems, allows us to consider them the most highly organized of all living reptiles. The evolution of crocodiles, starting with the appearance of this group about 150 million years ago, went in the direction of increasing adaptation to the aquatic lifestyle and predation. The fact that crocodiles have survived to this day is often explained by their life in various fresh water bodies of the tropical and subtropical zones, that is, in places where conditions have changed little since the appearance of crocodiles.
The general body shape of a crocodile is lizard-shaped. They are characterized by a long, laterally compressed, high tail, membranes between the toes hind limbs, long muzzle and head flattened in the dorso-ventral direction. The forelimbs have five fingers, the hind limbs have four (there is no little finger). The nostrils, located at the front end of the muzzle, and the eyes are raised and located on the upper side of the head, which allows crocodiles to stay in the water near its surface, exposing only the eyes and nostrils to the air. The external auditory openings are closed with movable valves that protect eardrums from mechanical damage when immersed in water.
The body, tail and limbs of crocodiles are covered with large, regular-shaped horny scutes located on the back and stomach in regular rows. The dorsal scutes bear longitudinal ridges. In inner layer skin (corium) under the horny scutes of the outer layer on the back and in some species on the belly, bone plates (osteoderms) develop, firmly connected to the horny scutes, forming a shell that well protects the crocodile’s body; on the head, the osteodermis fuses with the bones of the skull.
IN deep layer skin on bottom surface head, inward from the branches of the lower jaw, as well as on the sides of the cloaca there are paired large glands, secreting a brownish secretion with strong odor musk. The secretion of musk glands is especially intense during the breeding season and probably serves animals of different sexes to find each other.
Scull crocodiles has two temporal arches (diapsid): the upper one, formed by the postorbital and squamosal bones, and the lower one, consisting of the jugal and quadratojugal bones. These temporal arches limit the superior and lateral temporal fossae, respectively, at the edges of which they begin masticatory muscles. Extinct dinosaurs, winged lizards, modern fish (hatteria) had a similar structure of the skull, and the skulls of birds, lizards and snakes come from this type of skull.
Characteristic of the skull of crocodiles is the development of a secondary palate - an additional bone “bridge” under the primary palate, separating the nasopharyngeal passage from the oral cavity. The secondary palate in modern crocodiles is formed by fusion along midline palatine processes of the premaxillary, maxillary, palatine and pterygoid bones. Secondary internal nostrils - choanas - are located far behind the external nostrils under occipital region skulls The secondary palate is huge functional value for an air-breathing aquatic predator, allowing it to keep its mouth open underwater while continuing to breathe through its nostrils exposed above the water. The entrance to the pharynx is closed in front of the choanae by a palatine curtain, tightly pressed against the arched ridge on the posterior edge of the tongue, in which the anterior edge of the hyoid apparatus lies. The elongated jaws of crocodiles can be compared to tweezers, making it easier to grasp small and mobile prey. Gharials, narrow-snouted crocodiles and other species that feed on fish have the longest jaws.
The quadrate and articular bones of the skull of crocodiles are penetrated by air-bearing outgrowths of the middle ear cavity. Most of the posterior bones of the skull contain cavities of a very overgrown and complex branching system eustachian tubes. Perhaps this entire system of passages and cavities associated with the middle ear and pharynx serves to equalize the pressure in the middle ear when immersed in water.
Teeth crocodiles have a simple conical shape, sit on the premaxillary, maxillary and dentary bones. They are fixed in separate cells (thecodont), which allows crocodiles to have huge “fangs”, up to 5 cm long. The bases of the teeth are hollow inside, and new, replacement teeth develop in these cavities. There are multiple changes of teeth during the life of a crocodile. The largest teeth are located at the tops of the convex arches of the scalloped lateral edge of the jaws, and the teeth of the upper and lower jaws are so combined that the largest teeth of the lower jaw are opposed by the smallest teeth of the upper jaw, and vice versa. This allows the crocodile to more reliably hold prey captured in its jaws.
Spinal column crocodiles consists of 9 cervical, 15-16 trunk, 2 sacral and about 40 caudal vertebrae. The vertebral bodies are concave in front and convex in back. The 2-5 posterior trunk vertebrae do not have ribs and are sometimes considered lumbar region spine. 6-8 trunk ribs articulate with the sternum - an oval cartilaginous plate bifurcated at the back. The belly of crocodiles is protected by 7-8 pairs of abdominal ribs, not connected to the spine and located between the sternum and pelvis.
Crocodiles do not have collarbones and shoulder girdle consists of a scapula, a coracoid and an interclavicle that connects below the left and right halves of the girdle (together with the cartilaginous sternum).
IN pelvic girdle The pubic bone does not enter the acetabulum and in its place is the anterior process of the ischium. In the skeleton of the forelimb there is a remarkable elongation of two proximal bones brushes forming additional department limbs.
In the brain of crocodiles the cerebellum is highly developed, which indicates high degree coordination of movements. The sense organs are very perfect. The retina of the eyes consists mainly of rods, the pupil is in the form of a vertical slit that can expand greatly. Inner ear has a well-developed cochlea.
IN oral cavity no salivary glands.
Stomach has thick muscle walls, and adult crocodiles almost always contain a more or less significant amount of stones in it. The weight of stones in the stomach of Nile crocodiles reaches 5 kg (1% of body weight). The role of these stones is not entirely clear; suggest that they increase the specific gravity of the crocodile or. more likely, they move the animal’s center of gravity forward and down, giving greater stability when swimming.
Circulatory system crocodiles is the most perfect among reptiles, it is characterized by complete separation of the left and right ventricles of the heart. But at the same time, crocodiles retain both aortic arches. The right aortic arch passes into the dorsal aorta, which carries arterial blood to the head, body muscles and all organs that need especially oxygen-rich blood. The left arch of the aorta passes into the celiac artery, which supplies blood to the intestines. At the intersection of two aortic arches, there is an anastomosis between them (foramen of Panizzia), through which, due to the difference blood pressure in arcs arterial blood comes from right arch to the left. When a crocodile breathes atmospheric air, venous blood from the right ventricle apparently enters only into pulmonary artery. When a crocodile dives, resistance to blood flow increases in the vessels of the pulmonary circle, as a result of which venous blood from the right ventricle begins to flow into the left aortic arch.
Lungs crocodiles have complex structure and are capable of holding a large supply of air.
Bladder no, which may be due to life in water. The cloaca has the form of a longitudinal slit, in the rear part of which in males there is an unpaired genital organ equipped with a deep longitudinal groove.
Modern crocodiles inhabit various fresh water bodies. Relatively few species tolerate brackish water and are found in river estuaries (African narrow-snouted crocodile, Nile crocodile, American sharp-snouted crocodile). Only the saltwater crocodile swims far into the open sea and has been observed at a distance of 600 km from the nearest shore.
Crocodiles spend most of the day in the water. They go out to the coastal shallows in the morning and in the late afternoon to warm up in sun rays. The most favorable body temperature for life in Mississippi alligators is 32-35°; Temperatures above 38° are lethal for this species. The lower threshold of activity is about 20°. On land, crocodiles often lie with their mouths wide open, which is apparently associated with thermoregulation: some heat loss occurs when water evaporates from the mucous membranes of the oral cavity.
Crocodiles hunt at night. Fish is an essential component of the diet of all crocodiles, but crocodiles eat any prey they can handle. Therefore, the set of foods changes with age: various invertebrates - insects, crustaceans, mollusks, worms - serve as food for the young; larger animals hunt fish, amphibians, reptiles and aquatic birds. Adult crocodiles are able to cope with large mammals. There is a known case of the remains of a rhinoceros being found in the stomach of a Nile crocodile. Many species of crocodiles exhibit cannibalism - the devouring of smaller individuals by larger individuals. Crocodiles often eat carrion; some species hide the uneaten remains of their prey under an overhanging bank and later devour them half-decomposed.
Crocodiles move in the water with the help of their tail. On land, crocodiles are slow and clumsy, but sometimes make significant journeys, moving several kilometers away from bodies of water. When moving quickly, crocodiles place their legs under their body (usually they are widely spaced), which rises high above the ground. Young Nile crocodiles can gallop at a speed of about 12 km per hour.
Crocodiles lay eggs the size of chicken or goose eggs, covered with a calcareous shell. Number of eggs in clutch different types there are from 10 to 100. Some species bury their eggs in the sand, others lay them in nests made by the female from rotting vegetation. The female remains close to the clutch, protecting it from enemies. Young crocodiles, still inside the eggs, make croaking sounds at the time of hatching, after which the mother digs up the clutch, helping the offspring get out.
Crocodiles grow rapidly in the first 2-3 years of life, during which they reach sizes of 1 - 1.5 m. With age, the growth rate drops, and they gain only a few centimeters in length per year.
They reach sexual maturity at the age of 8-10 years. Crocodiles live up to 80 - 100 years.
Adult crocodiles have few enemies, if you exclude humans. There have been cases of attacks by elephants and lions on crocodiles traveling overland from one body of water to another. In addition, many animals, especially monitor lizards, some turtles, birds (marabou), hyenas, eat the eggs of young crocodiles.
Crocodiles in varying degrees dangerous to humans. Some never attack humans (small blunt-snouted crocodiles, fish-eating narrow-snouted crocodiles, etc.), others attack systematically (salted crocodile), and still others (Nile crocodile) are dangerous only in some areas.
People everywhere exterminate crocodiles, mainly for their skin. In the United States, the extermination of Mississippi alligators has reached such proportions (up to 50,000 alligators are killed per year) that the government has taken special measures to protect these animals, as they are threatened with complete destruction. In some countries of Indochina, crocodile meat is used for food.
There are 21 known species of modern crocodiles (with subspecies number modern forms reaches 28), which are grouped into 3 families.
Animal life: in 6 volumes. - M.: Enlightenment. Edited by professors N.A. Gladkov, A.V. Mikheev. 1970 .
Since ancient times, various parts of the body of animals have been used as magical paraphernalia, talismans, and amulets. Ceremonial costumes were made from the skins. It was believed that fangs and claws are capable of transmitting to a person the abilities of their owners: strength, endurance, fearlessness. Many amulets were used to provide protection from evil forces and illnesses. It’s probably not worth reminding that warriors and shamans ate hearts and other organs. Much of the above has survived to this day.
Shark teeth
This is a talisman against the evil eye, the witchcraft of envious people. At one time, a powder was obtained from such teeth, used as an ingredient in healing potions. Just in case, they were thrown into drinks to neutralize poison, if there was any in the glass. This is the source extraordinary power and confidence in solving any problems and achieving your goals.
Everyone agrees that the shark is not inferior in bloodthirstiness and cruelty to the most dangerous land animals. She is strong and no less cunning: it is almost impossible to get out of her mouth. A shark tooth endows a person with similar qualities, only in a positive way.
Amulets made from shark teeth are of particular interest to people whose business life involves frequent business meetings, business events, interviews, and competitions. You suffer from loneliness, you can’t decide on your life important goals, be sure to get a tooth from such a fish.
Crocodile fang
Biologists often call this animal a dinosaur. To some extent this is true. The fact is that the crocodile is one of the oldest animals. It is believed that in the form we are used to seeing, this river monster has existed for more than 1000 years!
The crocodile was and remains a revered animal among the Indians, which, in addition to instilling fear, is characterized by uncontrollable power and fearlessness. It is impossible not to note his endurance and swiftness. The crocodile is ready for a long time remain motionless, and then, like an arrow, rush at its victim and close its teeth on it. By the way, did you know that once you get into the mouth of this animal, it is very difficult to open it. There are known cases when, during performances, the trainer’s head ended up in a crocodile’s mouth, which several could not open. strong men.
As in the past, very remarkable and unique jewelry and powerful amulets designed to increase physical and moral strength are made from crocodile fangs.
Crocodiles were also revered in Egypt during the reign of the pharaohs. For example, the Egyptians were sure that divine evil was hidden in this toothy creature. It was a symbol of death and resurrection, night and morning, the focus of extraordinary vitality, tyranny.
In addition to strengthening physical and moral spirit, crocodile tooth has a positive effect on intimate energy. It makes its owner tenacious, cunning (in the good sense of the word). A person with such decoration overcomes difficulties more easily and adapts to any conditions.
Boar Tusk
Many people mistakenly believe that this animal is inferior in strength, insight, and mercilessness to the bear and wolf. This is one of the most cruel inhabitants of forests, the hunt for which often ended not in favor of humans. By the way, even with ultra-modern weapons, hunters avoid encounters with the so-called “cleaver.”
IN Ancient Greece the boar was seen as a warlike creature. The helmets of warriors were decorated with his images. In the era of monotheism, many peoples began to identify the boar with greed, pride and irrepressible lust.
It is believed that a boar tooth can impart determination and perseverance in achieving your goals. Unlike many other animal amulets, it can be worn not only by men, but also by women. Boar tusks are usually used as a pendant around the neck or on a belt. You can also attach the amulet to your purse, hang it in your home or at work.
Badger Fang
The fangs and claws of such an animal contain a powerful magical charge that attracts Fortune. The British are more than confident that a badger tooth in your pocket is the key to victory in any card game. The Slavs also used badger amulets for similar purposes, but in the form of wool products.
Badger Fang - reliable protection from swindlers, a rich source of insight and caution. It will be useful for entrepreneurs or people working. The amulet will help you avoid unpleasant “bed” situations.
Badgers are homely animals and they are also clean. For this reason, a badger’s claw will provide invaluable assistance in protecting the home from evil spirits, the evil eye and ill-wishers.
Tiger tooth
The fang of this striped predator is recognized the most powerful amulet, containing tiger power and strength. This amulet is recommended for unbalanced people who are unable to control themselves. If you want to become powerful and strong, buy this piece of the tiger.
Where can I get an “animal” amulet?
Only an appropriate professional can make one of the considered magical gizmos. U ordinary person There is no other way to get such a talisman other than to buy it in a specialized store. However, in this case, there is a high probability of acquiring a fake. However, even a real product may be faulty. Why is everything so difficult? The fact is that previously such amulets were obtained with blood and sweat. To get a truly powerful amulet, you had to kill the beast with your own hands. You understand that the store can sell parts of animals that have died naturally.
In principle, you can acquire an iron talisman or amulet from precious stones, but their strength compared to the originals leaves much to be desired.
Amulet activation
It is recommended to cleanse any amulet of extraneous energies before use: fangs and claws of animals are no exception, because they are closely associated with death and suffering. If you purchased an imitation of an animal’s fang, made of iron or stone, then the thing still needs to be cleaned: try to guess who was in the hands of it?
Ways to clean the amulet:
- through (fire, water, air and earth);
- rinsing in salt water.
The latter method is simpler and requires much less time. In addition, to implement it you will only need a bowl (preferably clay), clean spring water and simple table salt. If you do not have the opportunity to use spring water (living in cities deprives you of such a privilege), melt water, settled for one week in a dark place, will do just fine.
Mix some water with a pinch of salt in a bowl and immerse your animal amulet in the resulting mixture. Leave the amulet to lie in salt water for at least a day, then take it out, take the water away from the house and pour it on the ground. Now your amulet is cleared of negative energy and is ready for activation.
If you acquire a real tooth or claw of a wild animal, then such a talisman will serve you for a very long time: you can pass it on to your children and even grandchildren. However, there are cases when such amulets crack and break - this indicates the need to get rid of them (by burying them in the ground or throwing them into the river).
For more than one and a half thousand years (since the 5th century AD), there has been a legend that small Egyptian runner birds clean the teeth of crocodiles, since this is mutually beneficial for both of them: oral hygiene is ensured for the crocodile, and the birds eat leftover food between the crocodile’s teeth. Therefore, they say, the crocodile opens its mouth wide, patiently enduring the procedure, and the bird fearlessly feeds in the terrible mouth of the reptile.
"Crocodile's Friend"
But this is just a myth. There is still no documentary evidence that there is a symbiotic (mutually beneficial) relationship between crocodiles and Egyptian runners in nature. In fact, the crocodile guard (this is another name for this bird) flies to the open mouth of the crocodile to feast on carrion flies. These insects, in turn, are attracted to the remains of rotting meat in the crocodile's mouth.
Deadly number: Egyptian runner in the mouth of a crocodile
Why does the crocodile keep its mouth open? Supposedly for cooling purposes.
Fragment from the Soviet cartoon "Bird Tari".
It retells in a fairy-tale form the legend of how a brave bird brushes the teeth of a crocodile.
And the crocodile does not need to brush its teeth at all. After all, these reptiles’ teeth change throughout their lives! Young crocodiles change teeth every month, while adults change teeth every few years. Only very old individuals stop growing new teeth. Despite its scary appearance, the crocodile's teeth are not suitable for chewing, so it swallows food in large pieces. Sometimes the tooth may break, but thanks to the ability of crocodile teeth to grow back, this is not a problem for the reptile: a new one will soon grow in place of the broken tooth.
The number of crocodiles is 66-68. The Nile has 64-68, the saltwater crocodile has 68.
There are multiple changes of teeth during the life of a crocodile. The largest teeth are located at the tops of the convex arches of the scalloped lateral edge of the jaws, and the teeth of the upper and lower jaws are so combined that the largest teeth of the lower jaw are opposed by the smallest teeth of the upper jaw, and vice versa. This allows the crocodile to more reliably hold prey captured in its jaws. Thanks to the presence of pressure-sensitive receptor cells between their teeth, crocodiles, like mammals, can detect and precisely control the force of clenching of their jaws.
Crocodiles have simple conical teeth, sitting on the premaxillary, maxillary and dentary bones. They are strengthened in separate cells, which allows crocodiles to have huge “fangs”, up to 5 cm long. The bases of the teeth are hollow inside, and new, replacement teeth develop in these cavities.
Crocodiles- order of aquatic vertebrates. Within cladistics, crocodiles are considered the only surviving subclade of the broader Crurotarsian clade. The word "crocodile" comes from the Greek. The length of most crocodiles is 2-5.5 m. Their appearance demonstrates adaptation to living in aquatic environment: head flat, with a long snout; body flattened; the tail is powerful, laterally compressed; legs are quite short. Crocodiles are common in all tropical countries, living in a variety of fresh water bodies; Relatively few species are tolerant of salt water and are found in coastal seas. Crocodiles are the only surviving representatives of the archosaur subclass. Crocodiles are dangerous to humans to varying degrees. Exists ancient legend that a crocodile cries “crocodile tears” when eating its prey. The first known mention of this legend is in the book The Travels of Sir John Mandeville, which first appeared in England between 1357 and 1371. Jerome Horsey noted in his diary at the end of the 16th century: “I left Warsaw in the evening, crossed the river, where a poisonous dead crocodile lay on the bank.” Under the year 1582, in the Pskov Chronicle you can read: “That same summer, the fierce animals corroded the river, and closed the path, killing a lot of people.” The word "poidosha" corresponds to the modern "bite", not "eat". Probably, the young reptiles were being transported for someone's menagerie, and they accidentally ended up free.
Central American crocodile, or Crocodile Morel- a reptile of the family of true crocodiles, named after the French naturalist Morelet, who discovered this species in 1850. This is a small species of crocodiles - no more than 3.5 m long. The color is usually brown, with black stripes; in young individuals it is yellow with black spots. The muzzle is quite wide, and there are characteristic bumps on the back of the head. The Morel crocodile is a fast and agile hunter; it feeds mainly on fish, turtles, small mammals, and snails. There have been cases of attacks on livestock. It lives in Central America - Belize, Guatemala, Mexico. Prefers to live in swamps, small ponds and lakes, and is occasionally found in brackish water.
