The Zoogeography of the Crocodilia

Tertiary and became greatly reduced with the cooling which began during the later part of this period. The present distribution is a relict of the early Tertiary radiation. Crocodiles are sensitive to climatic fluctuation and their distribution correlates well with the climatic changes of the Tertiary as represented by fossil floras. The endemic groups of crocodiles present in South America and Africa indicate that these continents were isolated for long periods of time.