• Age: 8 to 12
• Grade: 4 to 7

Silently suspended in water, with only their eyes, nostrils and ears breaking the surface, these members of the crocodilian family play a terrifying sit-and-wait game with their prey, striking with lightning speed, chilling accuracy and a deadly bite stronger than any other living creature. Their victims stand little chance once held in their strong jaws. Land-dwelling prey are equally at risk--crocodilians can walk, gallop and leap at high speed, making them among nature's fiercest predators.

The crocodile and alligator families descend from the reptiles that roamed Earth alongside the dinosaurs some 250 million years ago. Today, most of the land-dwelling crocodilians live in tropical lowlands, while the broad-snouted American and Chinese alligators have adapted to cooler temperatures.

In Exploring the World of Alligators and Crocodiles, young readers will learn about the crocodilians' life history, physical characteristics, courtship displays, communication strategies and family life. They'll also find out how these semiaquatic reptiles rely on their senses and speed to survive--and why humans should keep their distance.

The Exploring the World of... nature series was created for young readers who are eager to learn more about the wild creatures of the world. Each title contains beautiful photographs of the animals in their natural habitats and the highly readable text explores their daily lives and physical characteristics, how they make their homes, how they raise their young and what they eat.

"This series has a different approach than typical animal books and goes beyond a basic introduction. The books provide the reader with another perspective and focus on different forms of survival tactics. Diagrams of the animals are presented describing different body parts and their functions. Another chapter discusses the natural talents of the animal... An extensive index is included. Recommended."
--Library Media Connection, of the previous books in the series

Tracy C. Read is an editor and writer who has a special interest in nature and the environment. She lives in Kingston, Ontario.

Tracy C. Read's profile page

There's plenty of nonfiction for elementary grades, but finding attractive nonfiction for secondary can be more of a challenge. The "Exploring the World of..." series answers that need. Crisp close-up photographs augment the clear, well-written text... Younger students would find much to enjoy in the photographs... Readers will learn about alligator and crocodiles, their habitats, history, anatomy, diet, and life cycle. Interesting, upper-level facts abound... This is an eye-catching book suitable for secondary library shelves.

Puget Sound Council for the Review of Children's and Young Adult Literature

The photography contained in Exploring the World of Alligators and Crocodiles is exquisite. The anatomical structure is detailed and diagrammed. Sensory data is displayed and courtship pictures and inset with young hatching. A crocodilian gallery features the variety of this order, from the Saltwater Crocodile and Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman to the American Alligator and Mugger Crocodile. The photographers portray a species that is dangerous, yet protected as its numbers decrease.

National Science Teachers Association