Animal Group
What animal group does a saltwater crocodile belong to?
Reptiles
Where in the world do saltwater crocodiles mostly live?
hot places, like tropical areas
Are saltwater crocodiles plant-eaters or meat-eaters?
Meat eaters, Carnivores
What is one important body part that helps a saltwater crocodile swim?
powerful tail
How do mother crocodiles have their babies?
Lay eggs in the ground
What is the skin of a saltwater crocodile like?
Dry Scales or Rough Scales
Do saltwater crocodiles live only in freshwater, only in saltwater, or both?
both freshwater and saltwater.
What kinds of animals do saltwater crocodiles eat?
fish and birds to larger animals like kangaroos or wild pigs.
Where are a crocodile's eyes and nose placed on its head?
A crocodile's eyes and nose are placed on top of its head.
Where does a mother crocodile put her eggs?
A mother crocodile puts her eggs in a nest she builds, often made of mud and plants.
How does a crocodile's body temperature work?
It is cold blooded
Why is it helpful for saltwater crocodiles to live near rivers and the coast?
helps them find different kinds of food and move between different areas.
what does a saltwater crocodile use to catch food?
very strong jaws and sharp teeth
How does having eyes and a nose on top of its head help a crocodile in the water?
Having eyes and a nose on top of its head helps a crocodile hide in the water, because it can see and breathe while most of its body is hidden underwater.
What does a mother crocodile do to protect her nest and eggs?
A mother crocodile protects her nest and eggs by staying nearby and guarding them from animals that might try to eat them.
How do baby crocodiles start their lives?
in soft eggs
Can saltwater crocodiles sometimes travel far out into the ocean?
Yes, saltwater crocodiles can sometimes travel far out into the ocean.
Describe how a saltwater crocodile might surprise its prey.
hide quietly in the water
Describe how a crocodile's strong tail helps it both move and hunt.
A crocodile's strong tail helps it swim very fast and can also be used to powerfully push off the ground or even hit prey.
After the babies hatch, does the mother crocodile still look after them? How?
Yes, after the babies hatch, the mother crocodile often helps carry them to the water and protects them for a while.
Can you name two things that are similar between crocodiles and other reptiles?
They have a backbone, they can shed their skin
Explain how a saltwater crocodile's habitat helps it find food and stay safe.
places to hide (like in the water), sunbathe to get warm, and access to lots of different animals to eat.
Why is being an "ambush predator" a good hunting strategy for a saltwater crocodile?
they wait quietly and surprise their food, which saves energy and helps them catch animals that might be faster than them.
Explain how the tough skin and scales protect a saltwater crocodile.
Getting bumps or scrapes from rocks and things in their habitat.
Bites or attacks from other animals (sometimes even other crocodiles!).
Describe the journey a baby crocodile might take from hatching to being more independent.
A baby crocodile hatches from an egg, might be carried to the water by its mother, stays near its mother for protection for some time, and then starts to hunt for itself as it gets bigger.