Australian Freshwater Crocodile osteoderms

Osteoderms are the bony plates found within the dermal layers of a crocodiles skin. These osteoderms, from the Australian Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni), have been laid out with the skull to show their arrangement over the body. The osteoderms create a highly armoured, protective skin and also act as heat exchangers to control body temperature.