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Crocodilian Craze Trivia Quiz

See just how much you know about crocodilians, and learn more in the process!

A multiple-choice quiz by Ygdjh. Estimated time: 6 mins.

Author
Ygdjh

Time
6 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
375,823

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
291

Last 3 plays: Guest 5 (4/10), Guest 122 (7/10), Guest 49 (6/10).

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. The term 'crocodilian' is a general term including four main groups of reptiles. Which of the words below is NOT a type of crocodilian? Hint

Caimans

Caracal

Gharials

Gavials

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Question 2 of 10

2. One of the more well-known differences between alligators and crocodiles is the shape of their snouts. Another difference, however, is their teeth. How can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator based on its teeth? Hint

A crocodile doesn't show any teeth when its mouth is closed but an alligator shows top and some bottom teeth

A crocodile shows only top teeth when its mouth is closed, but an alligator shows top and bottom teeth

A crocodile shows its top teeth and some bottom teeth when its mouth is closed, but an alligator doesn't show any teeth

A crocodile shows only top teeth when its mouth is closed, but an alligator shows top and some bottom teeth

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. Two crocodilians face each other. One's throat is puffed out and both are making grunting and bellowing noises. What is going on here? Hint

The crocodilian with the throat puffed out is a female protecting her babies from the other crocodilian.

These crocodilians are going to fight each other

These crocodilians are courting each other

These crocodilians are greeting each other

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Question 4 of 10

4. Crocodilians have three eyelids. Two of these eyelids function as a human's eyelids would, but the third one is a transparent flap that covers the eye. What is the purpose of this eyelid? Hint

To serve as a sort of armor for the eye

To filter out harmful substances

To protect the crocodilian's eye while it is underwater

To magnify the crocodilian's vision

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Question 5 of 10

5. For some reptiles, the temperature of a nest can determine the gender of the unborn offspring. Is this true for crocodilians? Hint

Yes, higher temperatures produce females and lower temperatures produce males

Yes, the higher the temperature, the more random the gender is

No, the temperature does not affect the gender

Yes, higher temperatures produce males and lower temperatures produce females

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Question 6 of 10

6. Out of all types of crocodilians, the crocodile has the biggest variety of species, having thirteen different species. Which of these is not a species of crocodile? Hint

Jacar� crocodile

Orinoco crocodile

Mugger crocodile

Estuarine crocodile

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Question 7 of 10

7. The smallest species of crocodilian is around three to five feet long, depending on the gender. The largest species of crocodilian, meanwhile, is around fourteen to seventeen feet long, and has gotten up to twenty-three feet. What is the largest species of crocodilian? Hint

Nile crocodile

Saltwater crocodile

American alligator

Morelet's crocodile

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Question 8 of 10

8. Crocodilians have scales known as scutes. While scientists are still looking into all of the functions of scutes, which of these has NOT been suggested as a possible function? Hint

Allows for easier maneuverability in the water

Produces an oily substance that keeps mud from sticking to the skin

Contains an organ that allows the crocodilian to sense the world around them

Gives off or soaks up heat

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Question 9 of 10

9. In today's society, the phrase 'crocodile tears' is used to describe fake or phony tears. However, what most people don't know is that crocodilians actually do shed tears, particularly during a certain activity. What is this activity? Hint

Mating

Eating

Fighting

Sleeping

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Question 10 of 10

10. Unlike other reptiles, crocodilians have an extremely complex circulatory system, including a four chambered heart. One unique part of a crocodilian's circulatory system is known as the Foramen of Panizza. What is the Foramen of Panizza? Hint

A hole connecting the left and right aorta

A large blood vessel that travels down the spine

A chamber connecting the left and right ventricle

An intricate web of capillaries spreading out from the heart

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Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. The term 'crocodilian' is a general term including four main groups of reptiles. Which of the words below is NOT a type of crocodilian?

Answer: Caracal

A caiman is a smaller version of an alligator or crocodile. A gharial and a gavial are actually the same animal, just with different names. A gharial has a long, narrow snout and lives in Asia. Meanwhile, a caracal is a mammal similar to a lynx.

Answer: A crocodile shows its top teeth and some bottom teeth when its mouth is closed, but an alligator doesn't show any teeth

Crocodiles actually don't use their teeth for chewing. They use their sharp teeth to catch their prey. Part of the reason crocodiles don't chew is because they cannot move their tongue freely around. Another reason is that they purposely swallow stones to grind up their food in their stomachs.

3. Two crocodilians face each other. One's throat is puffed out and both are making grunting and bellowing noises. What is going on here?

Answer: These crocodilians are courting each other

Crocodilians always court each other before mating. They mate once a year, in spring or early summer. Oftentimes the female will lay her eggs in a hole in a sandbar or in a nest, depending on the type of crocodilian. As the baby crocodilians near hatching time, they will call out to their mother. Mother crocodilians can hear their hatchlings even when they are inside their eggs!

4. Crocodilians have three eyelids. Two of these eyelids function as a human's eyelids would, but the third one is a transparent flap that covers the eye. What is the purpose of this eyelid?

Answer: To protect the crocodilian's eye while it is underwater

Like fish, crocodilians have a third eyelid that protects their eyes while they are underwater. They have naturally sharp vision, though they do not depend solely on vision for hunting down prey. They also have superb hearing and the ability to sense movement in the water.

5. For some reptiles, the temperature of a nest can determine the gender of the unborn offspring. Is this true for crocodilians?

Answer: Yes, higher temperatures produce males and lower temperatures produce females

Higher temperatures produce males while lower temperatures produce females. Generally, anything below 31 degrees Celsius will produce a female, while anything over 33 degrees Celsius will produce a male. However, temperatures can not be too high or too low, or the egg will die.

6. Out of all types of crocodilians, the crocodile has the biggest variety of species, having thirteen different species. Which of these is not a species of crocodile?

Answer: Jacar� crocodile

Jacar� is a type of caiman. These crocodilians live in South America, around Argentina and Brazil. They are hunted for their skin, particularly around their flanks. This species is also known as the "Piranha Caiman" due their fondness of eating piranha.

Answer: Saltwater crocodile

The saltwater crocodile, otherwise known as the Indo-Pacific crocodile, the marine crocodile, and the estuarine crocodile, has an average length of around fourteen to seventeen feet. However, saltwater crocodiles can get up to eighteen feet long, even reaching twenty to twenty-three feet in rare cases.

This makes the saltwater crocodile not only the largest crocodilian, but also the largest living reptile in the world.

8. Crocodilians have scales known as scutes. While scientists are still looking into all of the functions of scutes, which of these has NOT been suggested as a possible function?

Answer: Allows for easier maneuverability in the water

While the exact function or functions of scutes is unknown, there are some definite facts understood about these scales. Scutes contain blood vessels and may help prevent acidosis. Scutes are known to contain sensual organs, though these organs are not all over the body. Alligators and caimans in particular only have these organs around their heads, while crocodiles and gavials have them more widespread on their bodies.

It has also been suggested that scutes help crocodilians communicate.

Answer: Eating

The phrase 'crocodile tears' came about because it seemed as though crocodilians cry over their prey. Actually, the reason the crocodilians cry is due to the air being pushed up through their sinuses while they eat. The air is forced through tear ducts and results in somewhat bubbly tears.

Some scientists also believe that the tears may serve the additional purpose of cleaning or moistening the eye.

Answer: A hole connecting the left and right aorta

The Foramen of Panizza is a hole only found on crocodilians. It allows for an easy exchange between oxygenated blood and deoxygenated blood coming from the left or right aorta. This isn't the only thing that makes the crocodilian circulatory system unique, either.

Besides the fact that crocodilians are the only reptiles to have four chambers in their heart, the crocodilian circulatory system is also designed to help them stay completely underwater for long periods of time.

Source: Author Ygdjh

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