|
One of Egypt's most fearsome predators is the Nile crocodile. Most people call them crocodiles, but their scientific name is Crocodylus niloticus. Their massive weight can almost overcome anything. Sometimes they can grow to become as big as two cars.
Click on the head, feet, or tail of the crocodile to learn more about those body parts.
|
 |
|
|
|
A crocodile's nostrils are raised when it is above water and on land. When crocodiles are underwater, they close their nostrils to prevent them from getting clogged in the water. Like all land animals, crocodiles come up to breathe. A crocodile will eat anything it can overpower. A very useful tool for hunting is to having eyes on the top of their heads. Those eyes come in handy when it comes to seeing were to snap. When they are hunting their prey, crocodiles look like nothing more then a log in a stream. When a crocodile gets close enough, it will snap its jaws at its prey and bring it under water to drown it. In order to swallow its food, a crocodile tilts its head up, letting the food drop into the crocodile's stomach. The weird part about crocodiles is they have enormous snapping jaws but never chew with them. The crocodile's teeth are only used to snap and tear the flesh of the animal. A crocodile's best use for seeing under water are its three eyelids. When the crocodile is underwater, it is able open its eyelids without its eyes getting infected by salt water.
Go back to the top of the page.
A crocodile's feet are very useful. A crocodile's powerful claws are for holding its prey to the ground or under water. The female crocodile's claws are also used for digging a hole to lay eggs in. A crocodile's feet are used to feel the bottom of the river bank and drag itself up to shore. A crocodile's feet can help it and other creatures. When a crocodile doesn't have enough water space, it digs down with its feet, making the water hole bigger. This helps make a bigger hole to hold water which makes it easier for other animals to find water.
Go back to the top of the page.
The tail of a crocodile is very muscular and long. A crocodile's tail steers the crocodile through the water, whipping anything in its way. A crocodile's tail is so strong, it can knock over a large animal. The small bumps on the crocodile's tail are one of the keys to steering through the water.
Go back to the top of the page.