Do crocodiles have a gizzard like a dinosaur?
Not quite, although they do swallow stones. Crocodiles do not chew their food. They swallow whole pieces at a time, bones and all. The stones help break up the big pieces. Crocodiles have two stomachs. Stones help to break up the food in the first stomach, and then the meal is passed to the highly acidic second stomach for further digestion. Crocodile stomachs are more acidic than those of any other vertebrate. Bony palate: The bony palate in a crocodile’s mouth separates its nasal passage from its mouth. A valve at the top of the crocodile’s throat keeps water out of the airway, allowing it to hide underwater as long as its nostrils stay above the surface. This is an excellent strategy for sneaking up on prey. With only its nostrils protruding from the water, a crocodile stays well hidden. A crocodile can also hold its breath under water for up to two hours. Osteoscutes: Crocodiles have very thick scales on their skin, but they also have protection under their skin. Osteoscutes are bo
