croc what is it?????

[CROC-HUNTER]

i know that crocodiles and alligaters are classed as reptiles but they cant live whitout being in water so why isnt it an anphibian??? [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img] [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_confused.gif[/img]
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[SteveP]

A sea-snake lives it's entire life in the ocean, but it's not a fish! Certain physical attributes allow mankind to sort and classify animals into families or groups. Despite a crocadilian spending a portion of it's life in water it still has the reproductive elements, skeletal structure, scales, ectothermic (cold-blooded) system, etc. that classify it as a reptile. Think about the variety of animals that make up mammals, i.e., elephants, mice, seals, bats, monkeys, dolphins...humans, etc., etc., etc. we share certain physical attributes with those animals that make us all mammals (milk glands, hair (sometimes), endothermic (warm-blooded) system, etc.). Then ya get the fun animals like the Platypus that has hair, warmblood, milk glands (i.e. mammal), but lays eggs!!!...it's all fun stuff. The bottom line is only mankind worries about putting things in neat catagorical boxes...the animals don't care, they know what they are!!! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
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[Shadrach]

Bravo, Bravo! Well put Steve!!! I think ya just put it all in perspective! Why worry about it!?
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[najaboy]

The type of habitat that an animal inhabits has nothing to do with its classification. Other factors, such as morphology and physiology are used.

Unlike most amphibians, reptile eggs are fertilized internally. Also, reptiles solved the roblem of reproduction and a terrestrial existence with the devolopment of leathery-shelled eggs.

The circulatory, cutaneous, and respiratory systems of reptiles also distinguish them from amphibians.

[Macholizard]

[img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img] A fact that is often overlooked by most is the fact that crocodilians are more closely related to birds then their reptilian breathen, so to speak. The reasons:

"true" 4 chambered heart, some mixing of deoxygenated and oxygenated blood by the foramen (pizazzia). This helps aid in staying underwater (allowing oxygen rich blood to go to heart/brain while non-oxygenated blood goes to less vital organs such as stomach) for long periods of time and helps somewhat in controlling body temps.
musclular gizzard consisting of thick muscle walls
elongated outer ear canal
build nest from plant materials (true in Alligatorinae)
show some sort of parental care
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[ChrisRezendes]

This is some good stuff... I knew about the four chambered heart, but not anything about different musculature in the gizzards or anything! [img]modules/Forum/images/smiles/icon_eek.gif[/img]
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[JuliusSqueezer]

umm....noone mentioned the number one differnence in reptiles and amphibians. Amphibians are hatched with gills and some develop lungs later as they mature. crocs are hatched with lungs...not gills. Naja mentioned morphing...tadpole to frog etc I'm sure is what he meant...I'm not sure if mudpuppies, heckbenders etc. really morph though. I could be wrong...I've just never cared enough to study them much.
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	Morph A morph is a color or pattern variation that is proven to be genetic. Common morphs include albino, anerythristic, gentically striped, Hypomelanistic, and many others. Morphs also include combinations of simple traits such as "Sunglow" which is Albino and Hypomelanistic. These traits may be recessive traits, co-dominant traits, dominant traits, or created through selective breeding (ie Pastel).