What is the difference between an Alligator and a Crocodile?

It cant be the size of their ears because thats African and Indian Elephants!

What is the difference between an Alligator and a Crocodile?
The primary difference between alligators and crocodiles is geographical location (except the american crocodile, which can still be found in some parts of |Florida). The widest known species of crocodilian are the indopacific (saltwater) crocodile of north Australia, the nile crocodile - from the African continent and the commonly known American Alligator.





The Alligator in comparison to these two animals is like a small kitten (some will disagree) the Alligator is smaller in size and alot darker in colour, its snout is rounded where-as the crocodile has a sharper profile, typically Gators reach lengths of between 12 %26amp; 16 ft where as the crocodiles can reach lengths of over twenty.





I have spent the last few years dedicated to all crocodilians championing their cause to those around me, most people belive that just because they are big and ugly (thats their opinion) and not covered in fur that they are monsters, this is not the case ALL crocodilians are doting mothers and are extremely clever. Millions of years of evolution have made these creatures probably the most effective hunters on our planets.





The crocodiles are almost sly in their ways - they are extremely aggressive animals that do seem to take great pleasure from killing - im not saying that they are monsters they are just perfect at doing what they designed to do.





The alligator on the other hand appears to be almost lazy and dare i say it a little slow - this is not the case they can move at tremendous speed and deliver a crushing bite as effectively as the crocs, i have spent alot of time in the swamps of South Carolina watching and learning Gators, they are a beautiful animal, i have good friends on that side of the pond and to be honest gators are much like southerners - they are sun loving creatures that like to laze around taking everything in their stride as the world passes them by, but you go into their home then boy you better be preppared. I have walked swamps and canoed through the blackwater full of gators and do plan one day soon to go to a clearwater swamp to swim with these majestic creatures, i would never recommend doing any of these things if crocs were present.





To summarise if you are not sure on the predators in your areas be it at home or abroad dont get close enough to find out the differences it may well be the last thing you do!
Reply:Critter Guide :: Reptiles %26amp; Amphibians :: Alligators and Crocodiles





These animals are so ancient that they once walked with dinosaurs. During the Reptile Age, which lasted 100 million years, crocodiles were the most dominant animal on earth. Today, only 12 crocodilian species are left, and many of them are on the verge of extinction due to hunting and habitat destruction by humans.





It's hard to tell alligators and crocodiles apart, but knowing just a few facts will make you become an expert:





Shape of head: Crocodiles have long, V-shaped snouts whereas alligators have short, U-shaped snouts.








When their jaws are closed, you can still see the fourth tooth on the lower jaw of the crocodile. When an alligator closes its mouth, that tooth disappears. So, in general, if the jaw is closed and you still see lots of teeth, it's a crocodile.








What type of water are they in? They prefer very different homes and knowing what habitat they like can also identify which one is which. Keep reading below.


Where do they live?


American alligators live only in fresh water in rivers, marshes, and lakes in the southeastern part of the U.S. American crocodiles like brackish or salt water and are found only in the southern tip of Florida. Crocodiles are very sensitive to the cold and stay where it's warmest.





What do they eat?


Both the American alligator and American crocodile are nocturnal. They eat fish, turtles, and even raccoons and birds. They will also scavenge dead animals and sometimes resort to cannibalism.





Social Environment


Both animals have complex social behaviors, especially during courtship. Males exhibit aggression through vocalizations and body language towards rivals as the females move through their territories. Crocodiles in particular have very elaborate courtship displays that take place before mating. The females may lay as many as five dozen eggs per year. Newborns stay with their mother for two years. As adults, females and males live apart.





Critter Fact


Alligators and crocodiles don't chew their food. Instead, they grab their prey with their jaws and instinctively roll in order to tear off a chunk of meat, which they then swallow whole.





Did You Know?


Around 10 million alligators and roughly 5 million crocodiles were killed between 1870-1970 for their skins, which were then made into shoes, belts, and handbags. In order to protect these animals, they were both classified as endangered under the federal Endangered Species Act. While the crocodile is still endangered, the alligator's population has rebounded and it is now listed as threatened. However, housing and other developments are fast encroaching on the gators' wetland homes. Once in danger of becoming extinct, alligators are now considered a nuisance animal when people find them in their backyards, golf courses, and swimming pools.





Related Episodes


The Reptiles: Alligators and Crocodiles


http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/reptiles/...





Springs Eternal: Florida's Fountain of Youth


http://www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/springs/....
Reply:Alligators are characterized by a wider snout and eyes more dorsally located than their crocodile cousins. Both living species also tend to be darker in color, often nearly black but color is very dependent on the water. Algae-laden waters produce greener alligators; alligators from waters with a lot of tannic acid from overhanging trees are often darker (although the Chinese alligator has some light patterning.) Also, in alligators only the upper teeth can be seen with the jaws closed (in contrast to true crocodiles, in which upper and lower teeth can be seen), though many individuals bear jaw deformities which complicate this means of identification. The eyes of a large alligator will glow red and those of a smaller one will glow green when a light is shined on them. This fact can be used to find alligators in the dark.
Reply:Dane is right.
Reply:I grew up in Florida where we have many of these species. There are several differences one of them is that Alligator's can only be found in the Southeastern United States and some parts of China and, Crocodiles can be found all over the world.
Reply:a crockadile is much bigger
Reply:It's the size of them, themselves! Their jaws also help with that, too!
Reply:The spelling!!!
Reply:their snouts are different and the crocodiles teeth are more visible on the outside of the mouth
Reply:Hello,





(ANS) From a purely biological %26amp; evolutionary view point, Yes! both are reptiles, Yes! both lay egg's into a nest structure, both are cold blooded %26amp; need to warm up in sunlight (basking) before they can perform at their most active.





**Alligators and Crocodiles are separate species thats the main difference.





**Alligators I think are specific to American continent, where as Crocodile's are found across the rest of the world, especially the salt water croc's.





IR
Reply:Alligators are smaller and only live in USA.





Salt water crocs are vastly superior in size and live in Africa and Australia.
Reply:its the mouth or jaws one is shorter then the other.. i think the alligator has the shorter ones !!
Reply:Southern Florida is the only place that both alligators and crocodiles actually can be found together.





The differences between them are as follows:





Alligators: Broad snout, Blackish in color,Only teeth of upper jaw are visible when jaws are closed, Nest is a mound of vegetation costructed by the female in freshwater environment.





Crocodiles: Narrow snot, Olive Brown coloration, teeth of both jaws are visible when jaws are closed, lay their eggs in sand nest or mud in a brackish or saltwater environment.