Crocodile, whale, and hippopotamus are large vertebrates associated with a particular habitat. Which description best classifies them together?

Introduction / Context:
Habitat-based analogies group organisms according to the environments they predominantly occupy. Crocodiles are reptiles that live in rivers and wetlands; whales are fully aquatic mammals; hippopotamuses are semi-aquatic mammals spending substantial time in water. The unifying descriptor emphasizes their strong association with aquatic habitats.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• Crocodile → freshwater bodies, marshes.
• Whale → fully marine/aquatic.
• Hippopotamus → semi-aquatic, relies on rivers/lakes.

Concept / Approach:
Select the classification that captures the distinctive shared habitat link. While all are “animals”, the more informative category is “water animals”, reflecting how water is central to their lifestyles and physiology (e.g., swimming, buoyancy, thermoregulation, predation/foraging).

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:
Although hippos forage on land, they spend many hours submerged; whales are entirely aquatic; crocodiles are water-centric ambush predators. Hence “water animals” cohesively describes the trio better than “land animals”.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

• Animals: Too broad; adds little classification value.
• Domestic / land / aerial: Contradicted by the species’ ecology.

Common Pitfalls:
Focusing on occasional land movement of hippos or crocodiles and overlooking their strong aquatic dependence.

Final Answer:
They are water animals