The difference between alligators and crocodiles is significant even though both alligators and crocodiles are members of the same reptilian order called Crocodylia.
However, their families, Alligatoridae and Crocodylidae, are distinct.
Crocodiles and alligators are excellent hunters who devour almost anything they can get their teeth on, including fish, turtles, monkeys, and buffalo.
With spearing teeth, neither family bothers to chew their food; instead, they swallow huge chunks or the entire animal whole.
Most people are unaware of the difference between alligators and crocodiles and often use both phrases interchangeably to describe any huge water-dwelling lizard with large teeth.
Despite certain similarities, the two reptiles do not appear or behave similarly.
Aside from their striking resemblance, the essential difference between alligators and crocodiles is contained in this fascinating list.
Ways to Distinguish Between Alligators and Crocodiles
- Behavior: An alligator may appear gentler than a crocodile in terms of violence.
- Speed: Crocodiles are often slower than alligators on land and in water.
- Color: Crocodiles are often paler than alligators.
- Teeth: Crocodiles can’t conceal their teeth, but alligators can hide them.
- The Snout Shape: The crocodile’s nose is V-shaped and pointy, but the alligator’s nose is broad and U-shaped.
- Location: Alligators exclusively reside in portions of the United States and China, but crocodiles thrive worldwide.
- Size: A fully-developed crocodile is almost certainly several feet longer than an adult alligator.
- Habitat: Crocodiles like more saline or salty water. Alligators prefer freshwater habitats.
Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles
It is relatively simple to tell them apart if you look at the difference between these two large reptiles. Let us explore each of these characteristics in greater depth below.
1. Behavior
Alligators are dangerous but not as fearsome as crocodiles. When contacted by humans, an alligator will normally try to flee to the nearest body of water.
2. Speed
Both can move swiftly, but only for short distances on land. They can “gallop” or “sprint,” but only when attacked briefly.
A crocodile can reach nearly 9 mph (14 kph), while an alligator can reach around 11 mph (18 kph).
They are far more agile and swift in water because they can propel their bodies forward with their long, muscular tails.
Crocodiles can swim at speeds of up to 9 mph (15 kph), while alligators can achieve speeds of up to 20 mph (32 kph).
3. Color
Crocodile skin is often a light tan or olive tint, whereas alligator hides are a dark blackish grey. (The quality of water the alligator swims in determines its skin color.
The tannic acid from overhanging trees darkens them, whereas algae make them greener).
4. Teeth
When their jaws are closed, the snouts of these two animals are easily distinguished because the alligator’s bottom teeth are never visible; meanwhile, the crocodile’s lower fourth tooth is always visible.
Crocodiles frequently have multiple visible teeth protruding from their lips, giving them a highly jagged “smile,” but because an alligator’s upper jaw is broader than its lower jaw, it can hide all of its teeth when its mouth is closed.
5. The snout’s shape
The snout is one of the most noticeable differences between alligators and crocodiles. The alligator is larger and more U-shaped, but the crocodiles are more extended, narrower, and V-shaped.
The alligator’s nose is likely distinct due to their diet and eating habits, namely breaking apart turtle shells. Still, the crocodile’s snout is better adapted to hunting general prey such as fish, reptiles, and mammals.
6. Location
Crocodiles are in Africa, Australia, Southeast Asia, North America, South America, and Central America, whereas alligators thrive in the southeastern United States and eastern China.
In the United States, you are more likely to encounter an alligator than a crocodile. Although an American crocodile species exists, it only resides at Florida’s southern point. In contrast, alligators are across Florida and Louisiana and sections of Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, North and South Carolina, Texas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas.
In the United States, alligators vastly outnumber crocodiles. There are more than three million alligators but only about 2,000 crocodiles. Southern Florida is the only location where crocodiles and alligators coexist.
7. Size
Another striking difference between these two animals is the size and body proportion.
An adult crocodile can grow to be around 19 feet long, while alligators can grow to be about 14 feet long; hence, crocodiles are normally larger.
8. Habitat
Crocodiles’ tongues contain unique glands that remove excess salt from their bodies; this means they can spend days, if not weeks, at sea.
Alligators also possess these glands, but they don’t operate as well. Hence, they prefer freshwater areas but sometimes stay in brackish water. (a mixture of saltwater and freshwater).