When it comes to crocodiles or alligators, their mouth full of teeth and their ferocious appearance would scare the bejeezus out of you. How many of you know that crocodiles and alligators coexist in harmony. Still many of you may think that they both are the same as they both look alike. But, the truth is they are not. There are many differences between alligators and crocodiles.
We know, you might be now wondering what differences they can make when the alligators and crocodiles are related? Get into our blog to know more about them.
Alligators Vs Crocodiles
The crocodiles and alligators look alike in physical appearance because they both are close relatives. But they both are from different family trees. Not only this, you can discern the crocodile and alligator differences by inspecting their features like long snouts, powerful traits, short legs, and bony plated backs.
Where Is the Only Place on Earth Where Alligators and Crocodiles Coexist?
- A. Mexico
- B. California
- C. South Florida
- D. None of the Above
If you are daring enough, you can stare at its chompers, and you will be able to differentiate the difference between them with their teeth. That is when the alligator closes its mouth, you can’t see its teeth, whereas, in crocodiles, you will be able to see their flashy tooth getting interlaced.
Some research teams have found that the alligator tends to have shorter humorous bones in their forelimbs and shorter femoris bones in their hind limbs. To know more about crocodiles and alligator differences, follow the below-given details.
- Family
Even Though alligators and crocodiles are from the same scientific order, they both have different family names. Crocodiles are from Crocodylia, and alligators are from the Alligatordae family.
- Location
Alligators are found in various parts of the United States and China, whereas crocodiles are found in all parts of the world.
- Habitat
Crocodiles prefer to live in more saline or salty water, whereas alligators prefer to live in a freshwater habitat.
- Skill
Both alligators and crocodiles have extremely highly developed skills, which make them excellent hunters. Both alligators and crocodiles have the same kind of skills like water vision, night vision, sensitive hearing, vertical pupils.
- Behavior
So, are crocodiles more aggressive than alligators? Yes, they are. Hence you should avoid eye contact with crocodiles. They are well known for their attacking behavior. Crocodiles tend to be more active in water whereas alligators tend to sunbathe on the banks of the river or in the mud that is close to the water.
- Appearance
Even Though the crocodile and alligators look alike in appearance if you have a closer glance at them you can notice the differences among them.
| Alligator | Crocodile | |
| Snout | U-shaped shorter and rounder snouts | V-shaped longer and pointed snouts. |
| Teeth | You can’t see any of its teeth when its mouth is closed | You can see their flashy teeth even when its mouth is closed |
| Color | Darker in color with grey and black shades | Lighter in color with tans and brown shades. |
| Size | Can grow up to 3-4.5 meters | can grow up to 5.5 tons |
| Weight | 230 Kg | Almost 1 Ton |
- Lifespan
Crocodiles live longer than alligators. The average lifespan of a crocodile is 70-100 years. When you take an alligator, it lives for 30-50 years.