Many animals get their external marking--like, feathers, hair or scales-from genetics. But it turns out, the crocodile gets its head patterns differently.

The scales on a crocodile’s head develop differently than those on its body. The explanation lies in tissue mechanics.

MICHEL MILINKOVITCH: Just looking at the animal from up close, I was just so surprised by the pattern of very irregular scales on the head of the animal - very different on the left and on the right.

Many animals get their external marking -- such as, feathers, hair or scales-from genetics. But it turns out, the crocodile gets its head patterns differently. (Story aired on ATC on Dec. 11, 202.) ...