How to Tell the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles

Most people use the words “alligator” and “crocodile” interchangeably, to describe big, toothy lizards that prey on unsuspecting swimmers . However, there are some subtle differences between alligators and crocodiles (and their close relatives, the caymans)—and knowing them will make your life much easier when your curious grade-schooler asks you this question out of the blue.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Alligators and crocodiles are both reptiles. The reptile order “crocodylia” encompasses all the known alligators, crocodiles, and caimans, sorted into about 25 different species (including yet a fourth type of chomping creature, the endangered gharial). Alligators and caimans belong to their own family in the Crocodylia order (called, conveniently enough, “alligatoridae”) while crocodiles are in the “crocodylidae” family.

2. It’s all in the snout. As a general rule, alligators have shorter, blunter, heavier heads than crocodiles, which have long, tapered snouts lined with sharp teeth. It’s unlikely that you’ll ever venture close enough to take a look, but a crocodile can also be distinguished by the way its upper and lower teeth stick out past its closed jaws (a closed-mouthed alligator is much less toothy-looking).

3. You’re much more likely to encounter an alligator than a crocodile. In the U.S., the croc is an endangered species, numbering less than 1,000 individuals. By comparison, alligators are thriving, with over 1.5 million of these critters living in the swamps of the southeastern U.S. (By the way, alligators are only found in North America and parts of China; everywhere else, it’s all crocs and caimans).

4. Alligators prefer fresh water. Though you wouldn't ordinarily describe Okefenokee Swamp as “fresh,” it’s a low-sodium paradise compared to the salty abodes of crocodiles (crocs can tolerate these conditions because they have special glands in their mouths that filter out excess salt). Some alligators can also tolerate a certain amount of salinity, but prefer to stay in fresh water.

5. Crocodiles tend to be bigger (and more aggressive) than alligators. No one would describe a swamp alligator as “gentle,” but it’s a positive sweetheart compared to your typical Nile crocodile, which grows to a larger size and is much more active in pursuing its prey. For comparison’s sake, the biggest American alligators attain a length of about 14 feet, snout to tail, while the largest crocodiles are a whopping 20 feet long.

[tammyfrost]

on 9/5/2009 This is an interesting article...I have always wondered what the difference was and just never looked it up. Thanks for sharing your knowledge.