Content
- Scientific classification of alligator and crocodile
- Differences in the oral cavity
- Differences in size and color
- Differences in behavior and habitat
Many people understand the terms alligator and crocodile synonymously, although we are not talking about the same animals. However, these have very important similarities that clearly differentiate them from other types of reptiles: they are truly fast in the water, have very sharp teeth and extremely strong jaws, and are very smart when it comes to ensuring their survival.
However, there are also notorious differences among them that show that it is not the same animal, differences in anatomy, behavior and even the possibility of staying in one or another habitat.
In this article by PeritoAnimal we explain what the differences between alligator and crocodile.
Scientific classification of alligator and crocodile
The term crocodile refers to any species belonging to the family crocodylid, however the real crocodiles are those that belong to the order crocodileand in this order we can highlight the family Alligatoridae and the family Gharialidae.
Alligators (or caimans) belong to the family Alligatoridae, therefore, the alligators are just one family within the broad group of crocodiles, this term being used to define a much broader set of species.
If we compare the copies belonging to the family Alligatoridae with the rest of the species belonging to the other families within the order crocodile, we can establish important differences.
Differences in the oral cavity
One of the biggest differences between the alligator and the crocodile can be seen in the muzzle. The alligator's snout is wider and in its lower part it has a U shape, on the other hand, the crocodile's snout is thinner and in its lower part we can see a V shape.
There is also an important difference in tooth pieces and structure of the jaw. The crocodile has both jaws of practically the same size and this makes it possible to observe the upper and lower teeth when the jaw is closed.
In contrast, the alligator has a slender lower jaw than the upper one and its lower teeth are only visible when the jaw is closed.
Differences in size and color
On several occasions we can compare an adult alligator with a young crocodile and observe that the alligator has larger dimensions, however, comparing two specimens under the same maturity conditions, we observe that generally the crocodiles are bigger than the alligators.
The alligator and the crocodile have skin scales of a very similar color, but in the crocodile we can see spots and dimples present at the ends of the crests, a characteristic that the alligator does not have.
Differences in behavior and habitat
The alligator lives exclusively in freshwater areas, on the other hand, the crocodile has specific glands in the oral cavity that it uses to filter the water, therefore, is also able to live in saltwater regions, however, it is common to find some species that are characterized by living in a freshwater habitat despite having these glands.
The behavior of these animals also presents differences, since the crocodile is very aggressive in the wild but the alligator is less aggressive and less prone to attack humans.
