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The
crocodiles, alligators, caimans and the gavial make up a group of about twenty
reptiles. They all have the same basic appearance and, like the turtles and
terrapins, they are all amphibious. The alligator differs from the crocodile in
having a shorter and broader snout although there is yet another, more definite
difference. In both animals the fourth tooth of the lower jaw is enlarged. The
teeth in the narrower upper and lower jaws of a crocodile are in line and so
this tooth fits into a groove of the upper jaw, and can be seen when the
crocodile closes its mouth. The teeth in the broader, upper jaw of an alligator
overlap those in the lower. The enlarged tooth this time fits into a packet in
the upper jaw and cannot be seen when the mouth is closed.
The long powerful tail of the
crocodile indicates that it is a good swimmer. The ears, eyes and nostrils are
all in line on top of the head so that i can lie practically submerged waiting
for its prey. It is also quite agile on land and leaves the water to breed and
bask in the sun.
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