Alligator.
Although they resemble the untrained eye, crocodiles and crocodiles have clear differences. These two types of reptiles are found in different parts of the world and have unique physical distinctions, including differently shaped snouts. Both are part of the order Crocodilia, along with alligators and gavials, which also share a superficial similarity.
differences in the snout
Crocodile in the water.
In terms of physical differences, looking at the snout (the mouth and nose) is one of the easiest ways to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Crocodiles have long, narrow V-shaped snouts, while alligators are broader and U-shaped. These differences are indicative of the type of diet each species prefers. The crocodile’s wide snout has more crushing power, making it easier to grab prey like turtles. In contrast, the crocodile’s narrow snout is suitable for both fish and small mammals.
jaw differences
Alligator meat.
The jaws found on a typical crocodile and an alligator are also different. The crocodile’s upper and lower jaws are essentially the same width, with the teeth exposed in an interlocking pattern. They also have a large fourth protruding tooth on the lower jaw that sits in depressions on the upper jaw just behind the nostrils. The alligator, however, has a wider upper jaw, which allows the lower teeth to fit snugly, effectively hiding them from view. Only the teeth of the upper jaw are exposed along the line of the lower jaw.
color differences
Alligators and crocodiles also have slightly different colors. The typical alligator tends to be olive brown in color. Crocodiles generally have a darker, almost black appearance.
Location and Habitat
Alligators have an olive-brown hue, while alligators are generally darker.
Crocodiles and crocodiles are also found in different places around the world. Both crocodiles and crocodiles do well in environments that feature slow-moving rivers with grasslands located alongside the riverbanks. Crocodiles live in parts of North, Central, and South America and can be found in areas of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia. Crocodiles are native to eastern China and the southern United States, and are most common in states along the Gulf Coast. Crocodiles’ lingual salt glands allow them to be more comfortable in salt water than crocodiles.
Family tree branches
Crocodiles and alligators inhabit swamps and rivers in South America.
In some circles, it is considered appropriate to refer to these families as different branches of a common tree. There are 23 different species in the order Crocodilia found in the world today, and each belongs to one of three families. The Crocodylidae family includes all species of crocodilians. The Alligatoridae family includes two subfamilies: Alligatorinae or crocodiles and Caimaninae or alligators. Alligators resemble crocodiles and crocodiles, although most species are much smaller. The third family, Gavialidae, includes a single species: the gharial.
alligators and gharials
Similar in appearance to other members of the same order, both alligators and gharials are long semiaquatic reptiles with extended snouts. Alligators are in the same family as crocodiles, but most species are much smaller, typically around 2 to 2.5 meters long, compared to 4 meters for American crocodiles. These reptiles are found in South and Central America. The gharial, found only in India, has a much narrower snout than other species of this order.
Safety
Both crocodiles and alligators possess great strength and speed, and even on land, these reptiles are able to chase down and overtake prey with relative ease. People who have not been trained to deal with these animals should not have direct contact. In the event that a crocodile or alligator has escaped from a zoo or wildlife sanctuary, or has wandered from the wild into a populated area, anyone who sees it should leave the immediate area and report the sighting to authorities.