croc biodiversity

Question 1

when did crocodiles appear?

Answer 1

cretaceous period

Question 2

what are the families of Gavialidae?

Answer 2

crocodiles

alligators

Question 3

what are the different types of jaws for the families?

Answer 3

longirostrine jaws:
low drag, extra reach for small agile aquatic prey

brevirostrine jaws:
high strength for large hard terrestrial prey

Question 4

what allows them to be ambush predators?

Answer 4

eyes ears and nostrils can be raised above the water because its above the tip of the snout

also has night vision

Question 5

how can the croc breach with its mouth submerged?

Answer 5

palatal flap:
tissue at the back of the oral cavity- closes the pharynx against water entry

Question 6

what are the adaptations of the circulatory system?

Answer 6

carbon dioxide-rich blood is sent to the stomach after a meal to help with gastric acid to help dissolve the food

Question 7

how is the lungs specially developed?

Answer 7

it has a unidirectional airflow

meaning that everything goes one way

Question 8

how is the cloaca specially developed?

Answer 8

coprodaeum holds faeces

urodaeum - stores urine

proctodaeum - genitalia

Question 9

how does reproduction occur?

Answer 9

males are larger

phallus is hidden inside cloaca in resting state

2 oviducts form shelled eggs

Question 10

how are the young brought up?

Answer 10

some eggs are laid in holes

some are laid in mounted nests

some females care for the hatchlings