How to Draw a Crocodile Step by Step
Tip: Before Step 1, lightly sketch a long tilted oval for the body and a long triangle for the snout. These guides help you place everything. Erase them at the end.
Step 1: Draw the Upper Jaw Line
Start a little right of the center of your paper. Draw a long, slightly wavy line that rises toward the right, and finish it with a small rounded bump — this is the tip of the snout where the nostrils sit. Add tiny scallops along the underside of the line. They mark the spots where the teeth will go.
Step 2: Outline the Head and Lower Jaw
Above the jaw line, draw the top of the head. It bulges up a little behind the snout, where the eye will be. Now, from the back of the head, draw a big sweeping curve that drops down and runs forward to form the lower jaw. End it under the snout tip, leaving a wide gap — the mouth is wide open.
Step 3: Add the Teeth
Draw sharp triangles along the upper jaw and the lower jaw. Vary their size: a few longer teeth near the front, smaller ones toward the back. Don’t make them all identical — uneven teeth look more natural and more menacing.
Step 4: Draw the Inside of the Mouth
Draw a second line just inside the lower jaw to show its thickness. Add a long curved line for the tongue and a couple of lines near the corner of the mouth where the jaws hinge. This gives the open mouth depth.
Step 5: Draw the Eye and Head Details
Draw an almond-shaped eye on top of the head with a small pupil. Add a heavy brow ridge above it — crocodile eyes sit high so they can see above the water. Finish with a few wrinkle lines at the jaw hinge and along the snout.
Step 6: Draw the Back Ridge
From the back of the head, draw a bumpy, scalloped line that travels up and to the left. This is the ridge of the neck and back. The bumps represent the raised scutes, so keep them rounded and fairly even.
Step 7: Draw the Chest and Belly
Under the head, draw a few curved lines for the folds of the throat and chest. Then draw the belly line sweeping back to the left. Hint at the far front leg behind the body with a short curve.
Step 8: Draw the Front Leg and Claws
Draw the near front leg coming out from under the chest. It bends at the elbow and stays close to the ground. Give the foot five spread-out toes with short, sharp claws.
Step 9: Draw the Hind Leg
At the back of the body, draw a thick, muscular thigh. The hind leg is much bigger than the front leg. Finish with a foot and clawed toes — crocodiles have four webbed toes on each hind foot.
Step 10: Draw the Tail
From the back, draw a long tail that curves up and to the right and tapers to a point. Add a row of small spikes along the top edge. The tail should be almost as long as the rest of the body.
Step 11: Add Segments to the Tail
Draw short vertical lines across the tail, close together, from the base to the tip. Space them a little closer as the tail gets thinner. This creates the ringed look of crocodile tail scales.
Step 12: Draw the Back Scutes
Across the back, draw curved bands that follow the shape of the body, like rows of armor plates. Start adding small rounded scales on the throat.
Step 13: Add Scales to the Body
Fill the side of the body, the neck and the front leg with small oval scales. Make them larger on the sides and smaller near the legs and belly. Work slowly — this step makes the drawing look realistic.
Step 14: Detail the Hind Leg
Cover the hind leg with small rounded scales and add fine lines on the toes. Look at the reference picture: the scales get smaller toward the foot.
Step 15: Finish Your Crocodile Drawing
Finish any scales you skipped, darken the main outlines, and erase your guide lines. Your realistic crocodile drawing is done!
How to Color Your Crocodile
- Back and tail: dark olive green, with darker green or brown in the gaps between the scutes.
- Sides and legs: a lighter olive or khaki green.
- Belly and throat: pale cream or light yellow.
- Eye: yellow-green with a dark vertical pupil.
- Mouth: soft pink inside, off-white teeth.
Shade the underside of the body and the gaps between scales to make the crocodile look 3D.
5 Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Snout too short — the snout should be about as long as the rest of the head. Short snouts look like lizards.
- Legs under the body — crocodile legs stick out to the sides with bent elbows and knees.
- Tail too thin at the base — the tail starts as wide as the hips and tapers slowly.
- Same-size scales everywhere — use big plates on the back, medium scales on the sides, small ones on the legs.
- Pressing too hard early — sketch lightly until Step 15, then darken.
More Coloring Pages: How to Draw a Fish
FAQ
Is a crocodile hard to draw?
Not when you break it into steps. The head and teeth take the most care; the body and legs are simple shapes. Most beginners finish this tutorial in 30–45 minutes.
How do you draw crocodile scales?
Use three types: rectangular plates (scutes) in rows across the back, small oval scales on the sides and legs, and short ring lines across the tail. Make them smaller where the body narrows.
What is the difference between drawing a crocodile and an alligator?
Give a crocodile a narrow, V-shaped snout and show some lower teeth even when the mouth is closed. An alligator has a wider, U-shaped snout and its lower teeth are mostly hidden.
What colors should I use for a crocodile?
Olive green for the back, a lighter green or khaki for the sides, and cream or pale yellow for the belly. Add brown or dark green between the scales for depth.
How do I draw a crocodile with its mouth open?
Draw the upper jaw first, then a big curve from the back of the head for the lower jaw. Leave a wide gap between them, add teeth on both jaws, and draw the tongue inside.
Can I print this tutorial?
Yes. Download the free PDF above — it has all 15 steps on one sheet and a crocodile coloring page.