Crocodiles utilize a treadmill to help scientists learn about dinosaurs.

Scientists are working to learn how exactly dinosaurs were able to breathe.

In order to help, crocodiles along with alligators have been recruited to walk on a treadmill, as the creatures are distant cousins to extinct dinosaurs.

The research team is studying how diaphragms in the reptiles function, specifically how the anatomy allows for the intake of breath. A vertebrate physiologist at California State San Bernardino taps their tails, annoying the dangerous creatures, but successfully getting them to walk on the moving surface.

They move at a speed of half a mile per hour for between 3 and 5 minutes.

Other animals have also been exposed to treadmills.

In 2005, a 23-year-old African elephant, named Maggie was given a treadmill at the Alaska Zoo.

Hoping to get her to exercise, zoo keepers installed a custom made, 25-foot long treadmill for her to use. Maggie would stubbornly get three feet on the machine before backing off.