SuperCroc and the Origin of Crocodiles [Hardcover]

Christopher Sloan (Author)

Book Description

Age Level: 8 and up | Grade Level: 3 and up

Imagine a crocodile almost as long as Tyrannosaurus Rex and just as fierce. That's SuperCroc, the giant Sarcosuchus fossil discovered by Paul Sereno, a National Geographic Explorer-in-Residence. Crocodiles and their ancestors are some of the most successful animals that ever lived. At the time of T. Rex, crocs ranged in size from 2 feet long to over 40 feet long. They lived on land, in swamps, and in the sea. Some (like SuperCroc) were fierce predators. Some were heavily armored plant eaters. Later on, some might even have climbed trees. And when all of the dinosaurs (except birds) went extinct, the crocs lived on, becoming the crocodiles, alligators, and gharials of today.

Editorial Reviews

From School Library Journal

Grade 5-7 The author of Feathered Dinosaurs (National Geographic, 2000) has again dipped into the paleontological well to produce another exciting volume. The lucid, informative text not only describes Dr. Paul Sereno's African expedition to locate the fossil remains of 40 -long Sarcosuchus imperator (aka SuperCroc), but also traces the development of crocodilians from their earliest known beginnings to the more familiar alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharials of today. Large, dynamic, full-color photos and equally dramatic artwork depict this long evolutionary history, while the readable text explores such early entries as phytosaurs and aetosaurs, describes important fossil finds, and discusses possible reasons for crocodilian extinctions. The author also muses on the mysteries of the fossil crocs of Madagascar, which have more in common with South American fossils of the same era, rather than the expected connection to nearby Africa. Well written, colorfully illustrated, and with an eye-catching cover, this high-interest title will be devoured by paleo-predatorphiles. -Patricia Manning, formerly at Eastchester Public Library, NY
Copyright 2002 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 8 and up
  
• Hardcover: 64 pages
• Publisher: National Geographic Children's Books (May 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0792266919
• ISBN-13: 978-0792266914
• Product Dimensions: 9.6 x 0.5 x 11.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #570,693 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #41 in Books > Children's Books > Science, Nature & How It Works > Nature > Fossils
  • #47 in Books > Children's Books > History > Prehistoric

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Supercroc is Super!, May 4, 2002

By 

mike Fredericks (folsom, CA United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SuperCroc and the Origin of Crocodiles (Hardcover)

You are really going to enjoy National Geographic Supercroc and the Origin of Crocodiles. This hardcover with dustjacket new book is written by National Geo's art director Christopher Sloan (Feathered Dinosaurs) with an introduction by Dr. Paul Sereno, discoverer of Sarcosuchus. This beautiful book is packed with photos plus numerous paintings and illustrations from none other than world famous paleo artists Mark Hallett, Doug Henderson, John Sibbick, and National Geographic's talented new wunderkind: Raul Martin. The informative text describes for readers of all ages topics such as the definition of a crocodile, the world of Sereno's "Supercroc" Sarcosuchus and its fossil discovery, a prehistoric history of crocs and their cousins and the differences and similarities they share. You'll be amazed at the variety, from lizard sized saurians to giant Sarcosuchus who fed on dinosaurs. The final chapter titled "The Last Extinction?" discusses how crocs have survived 200 million years but now are seriously threatened by man. A fantastic full color work for all ages.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Enhanced with superbly presented photography, July 13, 2002

By 

Midwest Book Review (Oregon, WI USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: SuperCroc and the Origin of Crocodiles (Hardcover)

Supercroc And The Origin Of Crocodiles by Christopher Sloan (Senior Editor for Art, National Geographic magazine) is a nonfiction children's picturebook about ancient, gigantic crocodiles of millions of years ago, and their modern-day descendants. Enhanced with superbly presented photography, color illustrations, and amazing facts about these ancient reptiles, Supercroc is an exciting and highly educational read for children ages 8 through 12.

4.0 out of 5 stars Great book about ancient life, August 14, 2010

By 

Newton Ooi (Phoenix, Arizona United States) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: SuperCroc and the Origin of Crocodiles (Hardcover)

One of the spillover effects from the recent infatuation over dinosaurs is increased interest in other forms of prehistoric life. This is particularly relevant for other giant prehistoric predators such as Supercroc, the topic of this book. Published by National Geographic, this book is filled with great text and great illustrations. The content of the text is understandable by any elementary school student who has a proclivity for science, and for those who don't, the full-page figures are worth the price of the book itself Best of all, the figures that are drawn to scale are specified to be drawn to scale. Overall, a great purchase.