Crocodylia
By: Lauren Caprio
Characteristics of Crocodiles:
• Cold-blooded
• Four legs: Front two feet have five separate toes and back two feet have four half-webbed feet
• Height ranges from 5 feet (1.5 meters) and 23 feet (7 meters)
• Muscular flat tail used as a guide in swimming
• Special valve in throat that enables them to breathe underwater and not choke
• Watertight skin
• Watertight eggs letting crocodiles lay their eggs in the water as well as on land
Characteristics of Alligators:
• Two types of Alligators: Chinese and American
• Smooth belly
• Chinese Alligators grow to about 5 feet
• American Alligators grow to about 19.2 feet
• Watertight skin
Habitat
• Crocodiles live in Australia, Africa, small islands off the coast of Asia, tropical regions in North and South America.
• Chinese Alligators live only in the Yangtze River Valley in Eastern China.
• American Alligators live swamps and lakes in the United States from North Carolina down to Florida in the Everglades.
Humanities Twist
• Alligators are hunted for their soft bellies that can be used as leather. The leather is then used to make boots, handbags, and other accessories.
• While golfing near the Everglades, if you loose your golf ball in the woods, be careful that an crocodile doesn't eat it.
Last Updated: 3/2/2000
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Crocodilians
