When most people envision crocodiles and alligators, they think of them waddling on the ground or wading in water -- not climbing trees.............. However, a new study has found that the reptiles can climb trees as far as the crowns.................The crocodilians seen climbing trees, whether at night or during the day, were skittish of being approached, jumping or falling into the water when an approaching observer was as far as 10 meters away.............. This response led researchers to believe that the tree climbing and basking are driven by two conditions: thermoregulation and surveillance of habitat.

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URL: ScienceDaily

Crocodilians can climb trees and bask in the tree crowns

Date:

February 10, 2014

Source:

University of Tennessee

American Crocodile in Pearl River Delta
Mississippi

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