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Crocodilians Lapbook
research and templates for older students by Heather L.
templates for younger students by Ami

Note:  Templates have changed a bit since the original photos.  Please adjust your layout accordingly.

  

Templates (smaller version for older students)

Templates (larger version, cut/paste information for younger students)

Research

What is a Crocodilian?
Crocodilians are an order of large reptiles of the order Crocodylia, which includes the alligators, crocodiles, caimans, and gavials.

Where do Crocodilians Live?
Crocodilians live in places where the water meets the land and where the weather is warm. 

American alligators live in swamps, marshes, rivers, lakes and ponds in southeastern United States.
Common Caimans live in Central and South America, Mexico, the U.S., the West Indies, Cuba, and Puerto Rico.
Australian saltwater crocodile lives from Australia to India, Vietnam, China, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.

Older
Where in the World?
Where They Live

Younger
Finding Crocodilians Map

Alligator or Crocodile?
What is the difference between crocodiles and alligators?
~When a crocodile’s mouth is closed some of its teeth slide into a c-shaped groove on either side of the top jaw. The teeth can be seen when the mouth is closed. When an alligator’s (and caiman) mouth is fully closed, you cannot see their teeth.
~An alligator has a wide, rounded snout. A crocodile has a more pointed snout.
~Alligators are freshwater reptiles. Crocodiles live in both salt and fresh water.

What do alligators and crocodiles have in common?
They have long, bumpy bodies covered in scales called scutes.
They have four short legs, sharp teeth, and a long, strong tail.
They are both reptiles.
They live in lakes, swamps, and rivers.

Older:  Alligator vs. Crocodile Shutterfold
Younger:  Alligator vs. Crocodile Shutterfold

What do Crocodilians Eat?
~Crocodilians are carnivores.
~Young crocodilians eat insects, crayfish, crabs, frogs, and small fish.
~As they grow, they add small mammals, lizards, snakes, turtles, and birds.
~Large crocodilians will eat wildebeest, zebras, monkeys, deer, and people.

Older: Enemies and Diet
Younger: Diet Petal

How do Crocodilians Hunt?
Young crocodilians will snap at insects, small fish, and frogs.  Older crocodilians lay in wait and stalk their prey.  They will grab their prey and drag it under the water to drown it.  They will do a death roll to make sure the prey is dead and rip it to pieces.

Older:  On the Hunt Wheel

How do Crocodilians Reproduce?
~Males court the females. Males bellow to the females. They also may rub snouts, swim in circles, and blow bubbles.
~They come together and mate under the water.
~The female builds a nest and lays eggs.
~The females guard their nests.
~When the eggs hatch, they will carry their young in their mouth to the water.
~Hatchlings will be mostly females when the temperatures of the eggs are kept below 89 degrees F.

Older: 
Reproduction Minit
Boy or Girl Egg

Younger:
Reproduction
Boy or Girl Egg

Do Crocodilians Have Enemies?
Generally speaking, adult crocodilians do not have any natural predators.  They will sometimes be attacked by elephants, lions, hippopotamus, or rhinoceros if they get in their way.  Young crocodilians have lots of predators including monitor lizards, fish, and birds.
Crocodilians’ main predators are humans.

Older:  Enemies Matchbook
Younger: Enemies Matchbook

How do Crocodilians See, Hear, and Smell?
~Crocodilians have special see-through eyelids that protect their eyes when the animal is underwater. It has slit-like, vertical pupil that lets in more light. They also have binocular vision which allows them to judge distances.
~Crocodilians have very good hearing. They have flaps that cover the ear openings to protect the ears when underwater.
~Crocodilians have a great sense of smell that allows them to find prey in murky water. Muscles close of the nostrils when underwater. They also have sense organs on their scales located along the sides of their jaws that help with this.

Older: Senses Tri-fold

Crocodilian Facts
~Crocodilians have extremely strong jaw muscles when they clamp down, but their opening muscles are so weak that a person’s firm grip can keep the mouth closed. 
~Their teeth are made for catching prey and tearing meat away, not for chewing.
~They are cold blooded and rely on their environment for warmth.
~Crocodilians can go long periods of time without food.

Use your library books or the web for research to find more facts about crocodilians.  Record in the minit books below.  Research four different species of crocodilians and include information in the types book. 

Older:
Facts Pocket
Behavior Accordion
Types Shutterflap

Younger:
Fun Facts Bound Book
Behavior Accordion
Types Shutterflap

Library List
Snap! A book About Alligator and Crocodiles by Melvin & Gilda Berger
Zoobooks - Alligators and Crocodiles
Alligators and Crocodiles by Trudi Strain Trueit
Scary Creatures: Alligators and Crocodiles by Dr Gerald Legg, Nicholas Hewetson
Crocodiles & Alligators by Seymour Simon
Alligators and Crocodiles by Lynn M Stone
All About Alligators by Jim Arnosky

Older:  Library Research
Younger:  Book Log

Additional Resources
Alligators at Enchanted Learning
American Crocodile Printout
Black Caiman Printout
Spectacled Caiman Printout

Mini Booklet Directions (for older set of minits)
1. Types of Crocodilians: write down the 4 types of crocodilians; draw picture if desired
2. Crocodile/Alligator mini booklet: record the similarities and differences of the alligator and crocodile
3. Where do Crocodilians Live mini booklet: record locations for alligators, caimans, and crocodiles
4. Where in the world mini booklet: show on the map where crocodiles and alligators live; use different colors for each
5. Got meat? Crocodilian Diet mini booklet: record what crocodiles/alligators eat at different stages in their lives
6. On the Hunt mini booklet: describe how crocodiles hunt
7. Interesting Facts mini booklet: write down any interesting facts that you discover during your research
8. Behavior mini booklet: describe some of the different behaviors of crocodilians
9. Reproduction mini booklet: describe the mating habits of crocodilians
10. Egg Boy or Girl mini booklet: write the temperatures required for boys & girls
11. Enemies mini booklet: record the enemies of crocodilians
12. How do Crocodilians See, Hear, & Smell mini booklet: describe special features that crocodilians have that allow them to see, smell, and hear in the water
13. My Crocodilian Story: write a story about a crocodile/alligator
14. Library Research mini booklet: record the library books used