Passage E: The World of Alligators and Crocodiles(Reading grade 3)

Alligators are amazing animals. They are reptiles that live in the southeast part of the united States, where it stays warm. Most grow to be about 10 feet long. Some of the world's biggest alligators have even grown to be 22 feet long.
Alligators breathe through their snouts. An alligator has a tail and four short legs;tough, grey skin; and more than 70 sharp teeth. Alligators can live for up to 75 years.
Like other reptiles, alligators lay their eggs on land. The mother scoops out a hole and puts as many as 50 eggs in it.
Alligators are very sneaky eaters. They will stay in the water and wait for a fish, frog, or turtle to come too close and then, SNAP! They will even creep up on animals like birds or raccoons that have stopped for a quick drink. Would you believe that alligators even eat stones? Scientists think that they do it to make themselves heavier for sinking underwater and to help grind up the food in their stomachs.
Crocodiles are another kind of reptile that live in warm, tropical regions of the world. the American crocodile can be found mostly in Florida. Just like the alligator, crocodiles are coldblooded, meaning that their body temperatures of the air. to stay warm, a crocodile lies in the sun.
The crocodile has a narrow snout. When its mouth is closed, the teeth of its lower jaw can be seen. The average crocodile has about 30 to 40 teeth in its lower jaw. The jaws of the crocodile are very powerful and are important for catching food.
Most crocodiles eat fish, frog, and other small animals that live in the water. Larger crocodiles may eat deer and oxen. When searching for food, crocodiles hide their bodies under water, just as alligators do.

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