A female crocodile is called a cow. Unlike some animals that lay eggs and leave, the female crocodile is extremely protective of her eggs and hatchlings.
The female crocodile cares for her eggs and hatchlings until they are old enough to fend for themselves. Cows either build a nest for their eggs or dig a hole in the ground when it's time to lay eggs. They stay close to their eggs and babies to protect them from predators like mongooses or large birds. Some species will carry the newly hatched babies in their mouths, while others carry the babies on their backs. Baby crocodiles know how to swim from the moment they come out of the egg.
