A Visit to the Crocoseum Trivia Quiz

Answer: Saltwater crocodile

The male saltwater crocodile can exceed 20ft in length, making it the largest crocodile in the world today! Because crocodiles are one of the most sexually dimorphic animals, the size difference between males and females is huge, and Big Baban can only grow up to 14ft.

Australians commonly refer to saltwater crocodiles as "salties." These crocs are very wide-ranging and, as well as in the Australian waters, can be found off India, South-East Asia, and far across the Indian Ocean towards the East coast of Africa. The reason for this wide distribution of saltwater crocodiles is that they are such strong swimmers.

Being such large, powerful predators, saltwater crocodiles can take on just about any animal they comes across. They have been known to eat animals from wild boar, to sharks, to humans.

Answer: To rip off chunks of flesh

Crocodiles are well known for their aggression and gruesome methods of attack. Typically, crocodiles have their nostrils and eyes at the same horizontal level, allowing them to watch prey for long periods of time. This is also advantageous as very little of the crocodile's head is exposed, meaning it can approach drinking animals without much notice. The croc will then launch itself at the animal, usually grasping the neck or a limb in its powerful jaws. It is now that the great reptile will begin the infamous death roll.

The adaptations of the crocodile have allowed it to become one of the most successful predators on Earth. This helps to explain why crocodiles have remained relatively unchanged since the time of the dinosaurs!

Answer: Freshwater crocodile

Yes, along with saltwater crocodiles, freshwater crocodiles can be found in Northern Australia. Whilst saltwater crocs are known locally as "salties," freshwater crocs are known as, you guessed it, "freshies."

It is relatively simple to tell freshwater crocs from their saltwater brothers. Male "freshies" struggle to reach 10ft in length, and so are dwarfed by the male saltwater crocodile's 20+ft. Also, although both species are found in Northern Australia, freshwater crocs are more likely to found at inland locations, whereas "salties" are typically found of the coast and across the sea to South-East Asia. Finally, the coloration is a hint as to which Australian croc is which, with saltwater crocodiles being much darker than freshwater ones.

Answer: Everglades National Park

Touring the Crocoseum, you begin to pick up some random scraps of crocodilian trivia. Here, you learn some of the key differences between crocodiles and alligators.

In terms of physical appearance, there are several differing features. Alligators are generally darker than crocodiles, usually grey, olive, or black instead of the typical grey/green skin of the crocodile. Also, the characteristic "smile" of the croc is not seen on alligators, whose jaw structures allow their mouths to fully close. Moreover, alligators have U-shaped snouts, whereas most crocodiles have V-shaped snouts.

Some also claim that there are noticeable differences in character between the two crocodilians. It is said that alligators are generally less aggressive than crocodiles, and while this may be true, gators do not shy away from a fight. It has been said that crocodiles start fights, but alligators finish them.

Answer: He is a skeleton

Sierot isn't actually a member of the order Crocodilia at all. He is, however, a distant relative of the crocodile.

Sadly, the sarcosuchus became extinct long ago, and Sierot is one of the few fossilised specimens left.

As well as being extinct, the sarcosuchus is noted for being one of the largest crocodile-like reptiles that has ever lived, growing up to twice the length of modern day saltwater crocodiles (the largest living crocodile).

Answer: Fish

MIMO the Siamese statistician can be found in the waters off Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam.

These crocs are classed as critically endangered, and little is known about them due to lack of scientific studies. Their physical appearance shows that as well as their usual fish diet, they regularly eat snakes, mammals, insects and many other animals. This is suggested by their broad snout.

Answer: Yes

The cone-shaped teeth Flopsy possesses are adapted to tear, rather than chew. Being able to rip off manageable bites whilst feeding is essential to a croc's digestion. Stones which have been swallowed by crocodiles along with their very strong stomach acid helps to digest these chunks of meat.

Tackling some huge prey (e.g. wildebeest), crocodiles may often lose teeth during the struggle. Therefore, not only can crocs re-grow teeth, but at a rapid rate - young crocodiles can grow up to one new tooth per socket per month. However, the rate decreases as the crocodile ages.

Answer: She would gently break the shell in her jaws

Although the jaws of a crocodile are amongst the most powerful (if not THE most powerful) in the animal kingdom, they can use them in a very delicate manner.

The reason that most baby crocs are able to break free is due to the "egg tooth" they possess. Those who struggle can call to their mother from within the shell. After hatching, the baby crocs can be safely carried in the mother's jaws to wherever they need to be. However, in the wild, the mother is not able to defend her offspring 24/7, so many are eaten by birds or other crocodiles.

The temperature at which crocodile eggs are kept actually determines the gender of the hatchling.

Answer: Gharials have much thinner snouts

Gharials are found in the sub-continent of India as well as surrounding areas.

Although the sharp-toothed, fearsome looking gharial may give the impression that it is a man-eater, their thin, elongated snout is actually adapted for catching and eating fish. The structure of the gharial's jaw prevents it from eating any large prey. In place of the conical teeth possessed by alligators and crocodiles, the gharials have thin, razor sharp teeth. There is no need for the conical teeth as gharials do not have to tear at their prey. Instead, the fish are usually swallowed whole. Finally, the thin snout is a prime weapon in catching fish, as it allows the gharial to snap its jaws shut with minimum water resistance.

Another characteristic feature of the gharial is the bulbous growth on the end of its snout. This is mainly for producing sounds, allowing them to communicate with each other. Also, it is a way of attracting females during mating.

Answer: Osteoderms

Because the osteoderms of the crocodile have an annual growth of rings, the number of rings allows you to find the age of the croc. This is very similar to the method of determining the age of trees.

Crocodile skin is considered one of the most luxurious items in fashion. However, the barbaric nature of obtaining the skin has lead to many animal rights protests and the sales of crocodile skin products being banned in many countries.

As well as the attractive patterns found on many crocodilians, the elasticity of some skin (in particular that of the saltwater crocodile) means that it is very versatile and can be used to make many accessories.

The skin of the crocodilians is extremely tough, helping to reduce injuries during struggles with large prey or in fights with other crocs. This toughness is due to it being made up from the protein, keratin - the same protein found in hair, nails and hooves.