Crocodile

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/crocodile

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Family Crocodylidae
2. What makes crocodiles so good at living in water?Crocodiles have strong tails, webbed feet, and special valves that keep water out of their lungs, ears, and nostrils. Their eyes sit high on their heads so they can see and breathe while mostly underwater.
3. How do crocodiles keep their lungs dry when they swim?They have valves in their throats, ears, and nostrils that seal shut, so water can't get into their lungs.

Order Crocodilia: The taxonomic order that includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials, characterized by their reptilian features and amphibious lifestyle.
Behavioral Thermoregulation: The process by which an animal regulates its body temperature through actions like basking, seeking shade, or moving between different thermal environments.
Keystone Species: A species that has a disproportionately large effect on its natural environment relative to its abundance, playing a critical role in ecosystem structure and function.