Although alligators and crocodiles are both reptiles, and although both do come from the same order of animals, they are not in fact the same. When it comes to the subject of the difference between alligator and crocodiles, there are several things that you will want to keep in mind.
To the layperson, alligators and crocodiles can even look the same. However, even in terms of appearance, there are a number of differences between the two to consider.
What Are The Differences Between Alligators And Crocodiles?
The head of each creature is one of the first things you should observe. With crocodiles, you will want to note heads that are not only longer, but feature more of a V-shape than what you will find with alligators. The heads of alligators are going to be quite short. These heads will not only be wider than those of crocodiles, but the heads of alligators will also feature what one would describe as a U-shape.
The appearance of crocodiles against the appearance of alligators will also tell you what you are dealing with. The appearance with alligators tends to be on the darker side of the color spectrum. This darker appearance will be even more distinctive when measured against crocodiles, which tend to be much lighter in their overall appearance.
One major physical feature to crocodiles that you will want to watch out for concerns their teeth. If you happen to run into something that has the fourth tooth sticking out when the mouth has closed, then you are dealing with a crocodile. You will find that when it comes to locale, crocodiles tend to favor environments that offer seawater. With alligators, you are talking about reptiles that are most often found in freshwater.
Aggression strikes a major difference between alligators and crocodiles. While you want to exercise a certain element of caution with either branch on the reptile tree, you will want to remember that on average, alligators are far less aggressive than crocodiles.
Given the water preference of each category, it makes sense that you are going to find them in different parts of the world. In fact, in terms of the wild, alligators are only found in the United States and China. You can find crocodiles in locations all throughout the water.
In the end, it’s a good idea to remember that alligators and crocodiles actually come from completely different families. That alone means they really are significantly different from each other.
