Reptiles
saltwater crocodile
Classification
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Chordata Class- Reptilia Order- Crocodylia Family- Crocodylidae Genus- Crocodylus Species- Porosus |
morphologyThe saltwater crocodile has bilateral symmetry.The species has a relatively large head, with a pair of ridges that run from the eye along the center of the snout. Adults are generally dark in color, with lighter tan or grey areas, and dark bands and stripes on the lower flanks. The underside is creamy yellow to white, becoming greyer along the tail. Males can grow up to 7 meters in length.
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biology
The saltwater crocodile is a powerful and opportunistic predator, feeding on a wide variety of prey. Juveniles take smaller items such as insects, amphibians, crustaceans and fish, while adults also take reptiles, birds and mammals. The largest individuals occasionally take much larger prey such as dingoes, wallabies, domestic animals, and even humans, and will sometimes eat carrion. Stones and pebbles may also be ingested, to help grind food in the stomach. Where the range of the saltwater crocodile overlaps with that of the Australian freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus johnstoni, the saltwater crocodile outcompetes and sometimes kills the latter.
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distribution map
Importance: ecological and economical
The hide of the Saltwater crocodile is considered very valuable. Many people will pay large amounts of money to have crocodilian products, and Saltwater Crocodile leather products are the most prized. Saltwater crocodiles are a territory icon with great ecological and cultural value, but also a management challenge. They attract considerable publicity and a wide range of community views and opinions regarding their abundance, distribution and cultural and economic importance.
facts
1. The salt water crocodile is the largest of all crocodilians and the largest reptile in the world.
2. The average male reaches up to 17 feet and 1,000 pounds.
3. Australians often refer to these reptiles as "salties".
4. The average lifestyle in the wild is up to 70 years.
5. When these eggs are layed it takes 90 days to develope.
2. The average male reaches up to 17 feet and 1,000 pounds.
3. Australians often refer to these reptiles as "salties".
4. The average lifestyle in the wild is up to 70 years.
5. When these eggs are layed it takes 90 days to develope.
vocabulary
flanks- the side of an animal or a person between the ribs and hip.
Juveniles- a young person; youth.
crustaceans-any chiefly aquatic arthropod of the class Crustacea, typically having the body covered with a hard shell or crust, including the lobsters, shrimps, crabs, barnacles, and wood lice.
carrion-dead and putrefying flesh.
abundance-an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply.
Juveniles- a young person; youth.
crustaceans-any chiefly aquatic arthropod of the class Crustacea, typically having the body covered with a hard shell or crust, including the lobsters, shrimps, crabs, barnacles, and wood lice.
carrion-dead and putrefying flesh.
abundance-an extremely plentiful or oversufficient quantity or supply.
resources
http://www.outback-australia-travel-secrets.com/saltwater-crocodiles.html
http://www.arkive.org/saltwater-crocodile/crocodylus-porosus/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/saltwater-crocodile/
http://www.arkive.org/saltwater-crocodile/crocodylus-porosus/
http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/saltwater-crocodile/
Birds
emperor penguin
classification
Kingdom- Animalia
Phylum- Chordata Class- Aves Order- Sphenisciformes Family- Spheniscidae Genus- Aptenodytes Species- Forsteri |
morphologyThe emperor penguin is the largest penguin in the world. This penguin has bilateral symmetry. The emperor penguin is a stunning bird with a blue-grey back that shades into a black tail, and a characteristically white belly flushed with yellow. Emperor penguin chicks are mostly silvery grey, with a blackish head and a conspicuous white mask around the eyes, cheek and throat.
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biology
In order for the chicks to fledge in the late summer season, the emperor penguin must reproduce during the Antarctic’s harsh winter, when temperatures drop as low as minus 60 degrees Celsius and wind speeds reach up to 200 kilometres per hour. The emperor penguin feeds mainly on fish, squid and krill, which it hunts in the open sea or in gaps in the sea-ice. Like other penguins, it is an expert swimmer, typically spending two and a half to nine minutes underwater whilst diving to depths of more than 400 metres.
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distribution map
importance: ecological and economical
Penguins help keep the fish population down since that is what they feed off of. Some studies suggest that increasing eco-tourism and consequential disturbance could also be a negative effect on the emperor penguin.
facts
1. The Emperor penguin is the tallest penguin in the world.
2. Each year pairs of emperor penguins raise a chick.
3. Male penguins incubate the egg for two months without eating a single meal, while females forage for food.
4. These penguins often huddle together to escape wind and conserve warmth.
5. Emperor penguins spend the long winter on open ice.
2. Each year pairs of emperor penguins raise a chick.
3. Male penguins incubate the egg for two months without eating a single meal, while females forage for food.
4. These penguins often huddle together to escape wind and conserve warmth.
5. Emperor penguins spend the long winter on open ice.