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A crocodile’s thick, rough skin looks like an impenetrable suit of armor. But the croc’s skin actually confers a delicate sense of touch that’s among the most acute in the animal kingdom. That’s according to a study in The Journal of Experimental Biology.

Researchers found that the small, spotted¹ bumps that cover the skin of crocodiles and alligators² are chock full of nerve endings that are exquisitely³ sensitive to pressure and vibration⁴. Even more sensitive than human fingertips.

These touch-sensors are especially good at detecting the vibrations⁵ caused by tiny water ripples—something that may help the animals locate swimming prey⁶. And the most sensitive areas were found near the face and teeth—likely helping⁷ the animals to identify and manipulate objects with their mouths: crucial for crocodile females who must delicately carry and protect hatchlings in their powerful jaws⁸.

Researchers say they’ve known about the spotted bumps for years, but because of crocodile skin’s tough, armorlike appearance, they simply assumed their function was something other than feeling. The lesson? Never judge a croc…by its cover.

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1 spotted
adj.有斑点的，斑纹的，弄污了的
参考例句：
The milkman selected the spotted cows,from among a herd of two hundred.牛奶商从一群200头牛中选出有斑点的牛。 Sam's shop stocks short spotted socks.山姆的商店屯积了有斑点的短袜。

2 alligators
n.短吻鳄( alligator的名词复数 )
参考例句：
Two alligators rest their snouts on the water's surface. 两只鳄鱼的大嘴栖息在水面上。来自辞典例句 In the movement of logs by water the lumber industry was greatly helped by alligators. 木材工业过去在水上运输木料时所十分倚重的就是鳄鱼。来自辞典例句

3 exquisitely
adv.精致地；强烈地；剧烈地；异常地
参考例句：
He found her exquisitely beautiful. 他觉得她异常美丽。来自《简明英汉词典》 He wore an exquisitely tailored gray silk and accessories to match. 他穿的是做工非常考究的灰色绸缎衣服，还有各种配得很协调的装饰。来自教父部分

4 vibration
n.颤动，振动；摆动
参考例句：
There is so much vibration on a ship that one cannot write.船上的震动大得使人无法书写。 The vibration of the window woke me up.窗子的震动把我惊醒了。

5 vibrations
n.摆动( vibration的名词复数 )；震动；感受；（偏离平衡位置的）一次性往复振动
参考例句：
We could feel the vibrations from the trucks passing outside. 我们可以感到外面卡车经过时的颤动。 I am drawn to that girl; I get good vibrations from her. 我被那女孩吸引住了，她使我产生良好的感觉。来自《简明英汉词典》

6 prey
n.被掠食者，牺牲者，掠食；v.捕食，掠夺，折磨
参考例句：
Stronger animals prey on weaker ones.弱肉强食。 The lion was hunting for its prey.狮子在寻找猎物。

7 helping
n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的
参考例句：
The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。 By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

8 jaws
n.口部；嘴
参考例句：
The antelope could not escape the crocodile's gaping jaws. 那只羚羊无法从鱷鱼张开的大口中逃脱。 The scored jaws of a vise help it bite the work. 台钳上有刻痕的虎钳牙帮助它紧咬住工件。