D. The text below has been jumbled. Arrange the paragraphs in the correct order to make a full story.

Date: 2015-10-07; view: 435.

C. Read the text again and answer the following questions.

1. When and where did crocodiles originate according to the reading?

2. What is the most important discovery of the research discussed in the text?

3. Where have Cretaceous-age mammals been recovered?

4. What can you say about the environment crocodiles lived in according to the scientists?

5. Could you give a precise description of an ancient crocodile?

6. How can discoveries of fossil species that combine peculiarities of different classes and orders be helpful for modern science?
7. What unusual traits of notosuchian crocodyliform can you describe?
8. Why is it interesting for scientists to work in the southern hemisphere?

Crocodile Tears! Crocs, Caimans, and Gators Really Do "Cry" - But Not for Sentimental Reasons!

(1) Because they live in salty environments, crocodilians must rid their bodies of excess salt. Crocodiles and gharials have modified salivary glands on their tongue that are used to excrete the excess salt. Although alligators and caimans have the same glands, the glands are non-functional. All crocodilians, however, also use their tear glands to help rid their bodies of excess salt. This excretion resembles very salty tears - thus, the expression, "Crocodile Tears." The expression tends to mean "crying without much real emotion involved."

(2) As representatives of the largest reptiles on earth and in much the same way as the "other" large four-legged reptiles - the monitor lizards- they resemble so much the dinosaurs of old with their huge sizes, their ferocious appetites, and their imposing presence in their natural habitats. However, they are now also threatened with human interactions (retribution for attacks on livestock and persons and development taking over their habitats) and impending habitat loss due to climate change and global warming.

(3) The American continents are the only places where crocodiles and alligators live in the same habitats.

(4) The crocodiles, caimans, gharials, and alligators - in the crocodilia order of large reptiles of which there are 23 recorded species in three families (Crocodylidae, Alligatoridae, and Gavialidae) - live in mostly salt or brackish water in the tropical regions of the world.