Select the one animal that has all of the reptile traits listed above.
Dwarf crocodiles are the smallest crocodiles alive today. They grow to be about five feet long and have scaly, waterproof skin. Dwarf crocodiles live in Central Africa and hatch from eggs with shells. Western gorillas have black, gray, or brown fur. Adult males are sometimes called silverbacks because they have often have gray fur on their backs. Female western gorillas feed their offspring milk.
Reptiles are a group of animals with similar traits. The following traits can be used to identify reptiles:
They have scaly, waterproof skin.
They make eggs with shells. Observe the animals and read the descriptions.
Scientists sort animals with similar traits into groups. This is called classification. Classification helps scientists learn about how animals live.
How do scientists classify animals? First, they make observations about an animal. Scientists observe the animal's traits, including its body parts and behavior. Then, scientists compare the animal's traits to other animals' traits. Scientists classify animals with similar traits into a group.
To decide if an animal is part of a group, look at the traits of the group.
Reptiles have the following traits:
They have scaly, waterproof skin.
They make eggs with shells.
Compare each animal's traits to the group's traits. Select the animal with traits similar to the group's traits.
A dwarf crocodile has the following traits:
It has scaly, waterproof skin.
It makes eggs with shells.
A dwarf crocodile has the traits of a reptile. A dwarf crocodile is a reptile.
A western gorilla has the following traits:
It feeds its offspring milk.
It has fur.
A western gorilla does not have all of the traits of a reptile. A western gorilla is a mammal.