Alligators and crocodiles are amongst some of the oldest creatures on the planet. In fact their ancestors were around during the during of the dinosaurs. Evolved into highly specialised and WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN ALLIGATORS AND CROCODILE

Alligators and crocodiles are amongst some of the oldest creatures on the planet. In fact their ancestors were around during the time of the dinosaurs. Evolved into highly specialised and successful predators, they live in similar environments, eat similar-ish prey, and let's face it, crocodiles, alligators - they both look the same. Beady eyes, scary teeth and loads of warty skin - what else do you need to know? Well, they must be different otherwise they wouldn't have different names, and with just a closer look, and a little help from a suitable expert, you can see for yourself just how different they truly are.
So, what is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

1. The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is that they are from different families. While both are grouped within the crocodilian family, crocodiles are from the crocodylidae family, while alligators and caimans are from the alligatoridae family.

2. In terms of physical differences the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that a crocodile has a very long, narrow, V-shaped snout, while the alligator's snout is wider and U-shaped. Because of the wide snout of the alligator it packs more crushing power to eat prey like turtles that constitute part of its diet. The narrow crocodile snout, although still very powerful, is not really suited for prey like turtles but is very versatile for fish and mammals. 3. Another important difference between the crocodile and the alligator is that the crocodile's upper and lower jaws are nearly the same width, so the teeth are exposed all along the jawline in an interlocking pattern - even when the mouth is closed. They also have an enormous 4th tooth on the lower jaw that is accommodated by depressions in the upper jaw just behind the nostrils.
An alligator, on the other hand, has a wider upper jaw, so when its mouth is closed the teeth in the lower jaw fit into sockets of the upper jaw, hidden from view. Only the teeth of the upper jaw are exposed along the lower jaw line. Even the enormous 4th tooth on the bottom jaw, which is exposed in a crocodile, is hidden in the alligator.

Some simple facts
1.Crocodiles have more webbing on the toes of the hind feet.

2.Crocodiles are generally more aggressive than alligators, with saltwater crocodiles arguably being the most aggressive.

3.Alligators tend to have a darker appearance than crocodiles.

4.Crocodiles in the wild are found throughout the tropics in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia while alligators are only found in the US and China.

5.Crocodiles can tolerate salt-water better than Alligators.


Culled from The Garden of Eaden by Simon Eade

Learning.

snake season is over....pls if you see any of these crawling animals at ur backyard check if its croc or alligator before killing it because it seems they are trending now

This is very educating. Thanks for sharing op. I learnt some new things here....

They use crocodile skin in making shoes buut they don't use aligator skin for that purpose

Still can't see the difference.

I knew this one was going to suffix... Una wey no sabi crocodile dem don open thread for una

educating, op edit ur work so it can make fp

This is nice,never kneww the difference.

one thing i appreciate about them both is they make a superb peppersoup meal.

Any one wey I see? imma be running like mad. Forget differences both can kill, and I never ready die.

Abeg anyone i see na crocodile jor

Crocodile meat good for pepper soup.

ok

So the one that was killed in unizik was actually a crock, not an alligator.

Wow

been looking for this kinda article for months now finally!...thanks op ....Chop knuckle

Thanks OP, I learnt something new here

Insightful

Also, Alligators can often reach at least 14 or 15 feet in length, which is larger than some crocodile species, but not others. The largest crocodile species is the saltwater crocodile, which can get to at least 17 or 18 feet - some rare individuals exceeding 20 feet after many years. The African dwarf crocodile, as a contrast, doesn't grow larger than 4 or 5 feet.

informative article... nice.

Before someone will come and tell us how an Alligator entered into peoples stomach through their ear and ate all the food inside and layed eggs there.




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In summary: Crocodiles are more bad ass than alligators

Emmanuel602:
So the one that was killed in unizik was actually a crock, not an alligator.

Yes. There are no alligators in Nigeria

No diffrncn to me:dem sha nodey luk face bfor killing man..#

...and most Nigerians call Monitor Lizards Alligator ... I can so laugh at them.

sugah:


Yes. There are no alligators in Nigeria

are you sure, Coz some remote part of delta state has some.

kingzx0:
are you sure, Coz some remote part of delta state has some.

Crocodiles, yes..Alligators, No

Crocodile always had longer snouts compared to an alligator.
Crocs are also more aggressive...

anoda difference is that:
alligator has pepper while crocodile has tears.
abi na lie

refreshrate:
Any one wey I see? imma be running like mad. Forget differences both can kill, and I never ready die.

Or dey think sey person go stay there to differentiate whether na crocodile or alligator

Educative....