Reptile: Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile, or saltie, is the largest reptile in the world. They usually get around 20 feet long, but some have reached up to 33 feet long. Saltwater crocodiles have bilateral symmetry and usually weigh over 1,000 pounds.
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BiologyOne of the crocodile's most valued feature is it's tail. Their powerful tail provides propulsion when swimming. Also crocodiles have a valve that seals their throat from their mouth so that water doesn't get down their throat when they're underwater. Although, this keeps them from swallowing underwater so they have to surface to do so.
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Distribution MapFacts- Saltwater crocodiles usually live along the coasts and in mangrove forests.
- Adult crocodiles hunt things as big as dingos and monkeys. - Some crocodiles ingest pebbles to help with digestion. - Saltwater crocodiles breed during the wet season which occurs in October and November. - Female crocodiles guard her eggs until they hatch and she watches her young until they learn to swim. |
Importance: Ecological and EconomicalEcological: The saltwater crocodile's eggs provide food for many predators.
Economical: While saltwater crocodiles are the most feared marine species, they are often hunted for their skin which is used for many different things. VocabularySaltie - what Australians call saltwater crocodiles
Propulsion - pushing foreward Valve - a seal that controls the passage of fluids Mangrove - one of the few types of trees that can live in saltwater Wet season - the time of year when it rains the most |
Bird: Long-Tailed Jaeger
Classification
MorphologyThe long-tailed jaeger is the smallest and thought to be the most graceful of its species. They have bilateral symmetry, a slim body, and narrow wings. Also they have a small thick hooked beak, and a small head. When breeding season is over the long-tailed jaeger looses its long central tail feathers and becomes darker in color.
Distribution MapFacts- When migrating long-tailed jaegers are more likely to catch their own food, rather than stealing from other birds.
- Lots of these birds are not afraid of humans. - Long-tailed jaegers spend most of their time out at sea. - Jaegers spend most of their time inland during breeding season. - Long-tailed jaegers are omnivores. |
BiologyOne special thing about the long-tailed jaeger is its ability to spend months out at sea. When its not breeding season jaegers spend pretty much all their time flying over the ocean. Jaegers, like most birds, have hollow bones that allow them easy flight. Without hollow bones jaegers may not be able to fly.
Importance: Ecological and EconomicalEcological: Long-tailed jaegers have a big impact on the animals around them. They especially have a negative impact on the animals that they steel food from, which is called kleptoparasitism.
Economical: Jaegers are not of much importance for humans, although some people in Greenland use this bird for dog food. VocabularyGraceful - having elegance
Central tail feathers - the feathers in the middle of the tail Breeding season - a specific season in the year when animals mate Kleptoparasitism - feeding where one animal steals another's prey |