I always wondered about that.
2006-09-23 16:06:11 · 13 answers · asked by BadGirlGimpy 3 in Pets ➔ Reptiles
Shape of the jaw— Alligators tend to have wide, U-shaped, rounded snouts, while crocodiles tend to have longer, more pointed, V-shaped snouts.
Teeth— The fourth tooth on the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip on crocodiles, so you can see it when their mouths are closed. In alligators, this fourth tooth is covered up.
Habitat— Crocodiles also have special glands in their tongues that can get rid of excess salt, so they tend to live in saltwater habitats. Alligators have these glands, too, but they don't work as well as the crocodiles', so alligators prefer to live in freshwater habitats.
2006-09-23 16:14:48 · answer #1 · answered by Buffy Summers 6 · 3⤊ 0⤋
The most obvious difference is the alligator has a broader mouth and head. The crocodile has the narrower snout with the teeth more obviously sticking out of the mouth. The alligators are the more prominent species in the American south east. The crocodiles are the only ones that can be found in salt water (Australia).
Other than that, they eat the same things and are about the same size, crocs slightly larger.
2006-09-23 23:19:02 · answer #2 · answered by rac 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are in different taxonomic families, so there are several differences... The most commonly known one is that crocs have pointed snouts/jaws (V shaped) while gators' are more rounded (U shaped). The teeth in the lower jaw are exposed in crocs but sheathed in gators. Crocs also have a salt gland that enables them to tolerate more marine habitats. There are SEVERAL species of crocodile found all over the world, while the only species of alligator are the American and Chinese (VERY endangered). There are also crocodilians called Caiman, which resemble crocodiles but are more closely related to gators, and gharial which are a family of their own.
2006-09-24 00:05:26 · answer #3 · answered by snake_girl85 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Aside from what the others have all said, which is correct, they are different species. Alligators live in freshwater swamps, lakes, ponds, and rivers. Crocs live in either fresh or salt water and are even found swimming out at sea sometimes. Crocs get much larger than gators.
2006-09-24 01:07:22 · answer #4 · answered by twistedmouse 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Well a alligator has a shorter snout than a crocodile its snout
is longer ,and most croc live in salt water,and aligators live in
fresh water.
2006-09-24 00:00:08 · answer #5 · answered by Tami S 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
An alligator has a pointed Mouth whereas a croc has a u-shaped one.Crocs are more agressive than a alligator
2006-09-24 09:43:23 · answer #6 · answered by Diz 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
alligators have a long skinny snout.
crocodiles have a short wider snout.
2006-09-24 10:27:06 · answer #7 · answered by redneckgirl 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one is saltwater and the alligator is a really dark green and crocs r lighter and omg u reminded me bout steve irwin.. =(
2006-09-23 23:14:11 · answer #8 · answered by katie 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Their noses and the fact they live in different parts of the country
2006-09-24 13:27:04 · answer #9 · answered by firewomen 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
one is salt water and the other is fresh and i forget but one has teeth that hang out of its mouth and the other doesnt.
2006-09-24 02:31:02 · answer #10 · answered by hannah.Horrible! 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋