Crocodiles Book

Describes the physical characteristics, hunting behavior, habitat, and endangered status of crocodiles.

Claudia Mills - Children's Literature

Capstone's "High Interest" series featuring "Predators in the Wild" seems to rest on the assumption that its readers are primarily interested in grisly and lurid details of exactly how predators stalk their prey and kill their victims. Thus, two of the four brief chapters here are devoted to "The Hunt" and "The Kill." Readers learn that "A crocodile's jaws can produce a force of almost 12 tons (11 metric tons) as they clamp down on prey;" they "use their jaws to grab an animal's snout or leg," pulling it into the water to drown it. While they may use their jaws and teeth to crush their prey, they do not chew it while eating it, but "must swallow food whole." One particularly fascinating fact presented is that crocodiles can "live up to one year without eating." The book also offers general background information on crocodiles, as well as a double-page spread of "fast facts" and cautionary warnings about the danger to crocodiles from over-hunting for their prized skins and destruction of habitat. Each chapter, attractively illustrated with numerous color photographs, begins with bullets listing the key points discussed in the chapter, an aid to challenged readers. Vetted for accuracy by the staff of the Black Hills Reptile Garden in Rapid City, South Dakota, the book closes with a glossary of "words to know," a bibliography, useful addresses and Web sites, and an index. A good choice for reluctant readers who have a taste for the gory. 2003, Capstone High-Interest Books,