How to Draw a Crocodile (Easy Step by Step)
A crocodile is fun to draw because it is built from simple shapes: a long curvy body with a pointy tail, a flat snout, four rounded legs and a row of little spikes. The small round eye and the row of teeth give it a friendly, silly look. Once you can draw the body and the snout, the rest is easy.
- Easy
- 15 minutes
- 9 steps
You need: paper, a pencil, an eraser, and crayons or markers for coloring.
Start drawingIn this article (7 sections)
How to draw a crocodile step by step
How to Draw a Crocodile · tinyhandscreate.com
Step 1: Guide shapes
Lightly sketch this oval. It only shows where the big parts go, so press softly. You will erase it at the end.
Step 2: Body and tail
Draw the back of the crocodile as one long, curvy line. Start at a pointy tail on the left, go along the top with a small round bump near the right end, then curve back along the bottom of the belly.
Step 3: The snout
At the right end of the body, draw a long, flat snout. Start at the top of the head, draw straight out to the right, round the front end, and come back along the bottom to meet the belly.
Step 4: The mouth line
Draw one long, slightly wavy line across the snout. Start inside the head and draw all the way to the front tip. This shows where the mouth opens.
Step 5: The eye
Draw a small round dot inside the bump on top of the head. Fill it in so it looks like a shiny eye.
Step 6: The teeth
Under the mouth line, draw a row of small, rounded teeth pointing down, like little upside-down bumps. Make them about the same size, with one a little longer at the front.
Step 7: Back legs
Under the belly on the tail side, draw two tall, rounded legs that hang down like narrow U shapes. Let the second leg tuck a little behind the first.
Step 8: Front legs
Under the belly closer to the head, draw two more rounded legs just like the first pair. Tuck one a little behind the other.
Step 9: Spiky back
Along the top of the back, draw a row of small pointy spikes. Start with tiny ones near the tail and make them a little taller as you go toward the head. Stop before the eye.
All done!
Erase the guide shapes, go over your lines, then color it in.
Finished your crocodile? Keep the pencils out and learn how to draw a gorilla or how to draw a peacock next.
Tips for drawing a crocodile
- Draw the back line slowly and let it curve. A long, pointy tail is what makes it look like a crocodile.
- Draw the mouth line first, then hang small teeth under it, all pointing down and all about the same size.
- For the spikes, start tiny near the tail and make them a bit taller as you move toward the head. Stop before the eye so it stays clear.
Free crocodile coloring page
Want to go straight to coloring? Open this crocodile coloring page at full size and print it. It is the same drawing you just learned, with clean lines ready for crayons or markers.
How to color your crocodile drawing
Green is the classic choice, with a lighter green or yellow for the belly and snout. For a twist, color each spike a different bright color, like a rainbow ridge down its back.
Crocodile fun fact for kids
A crocodile can't stick its tongue out, because the tongue is attached to the bottom of its mouth. Crocodiles also keep growing new teeth throughout their lives, replacing old ones many times.
Questions about drawing a crocodile
What shapes do I need to draw a crocodile?
You need a long curvy line for the body and tail, a flat snout with a rounded end, small rounded shapes for the teeth, four tall rounded legs, and little pointy spikes along the back.
How do I make my crocodile look friendlier?
Keep the eye a small round dot and the teeth small and even. Make the legs short and chubby.
How do I draw crocodile teeth?
Start with a wavy mouth line. Then draw small rounded teeth hanging down from it, all about the same size.
