Which specific characteristic sets Order Crocodilia apart from other reptiles like lizards, allowing them to breathe while submerged?
Answer
Having a secondary palate.
Members of Order Crocodilia possess a secondary palate, which is a distinct feature allowing them to breathe even when their mouth is full of water or submerged.
Related Questions
What part of the scientific name *Alligator mississippiensis* refers to the river basin where it was first scientifically documented?To which Kingdom does the American alligator belong, defined by being multicellular and heterotrophic?What class distinction characterizes reptiles like the alligator regarding body temperature regulation?Which specific characteristic sets Order Crocodilia apart from other reptiles like lizards, allowing them to breathe while submerged?What is the primary anatomical difference noted when comparing the closed mouths of alligators versus most crocodiles?To which family does the American alligator belong, grouping it with caimans?Which subfamily is defined as exclusively containing the members of the genus *Alligator*?What classification level separates the American alligator from the Chinese alligator's placement in the Subfamily Caimaninae?In what year was the American alligator officially removed from the Endangered Species Act (ESA) list?What must management strategies for the American alligator adhere to due to its family placement in *Alligatoridae*?