whats the difference in a croc and a aligator?

Question

my kids want to know what the difference in a croc and a gator can anyone help?

Answer 1

Many people want to know what the difference is between alligators and crocodiles. There are many differences, most of which are not easy to see. One of the differences that you can see is the shape of the head. Alligators have a broader, more rounded snout while crocodiles have a narrower, more pointed snout. If you look at the side of a crocodile's mouth, you'll notice the fourth tooth on the bottom jaw sticks outside of the top jaw and into a groove. The upper and lower teeth of a crocodile stick outside the jaws while the bottom teeth of the alligator fit into sockets in the upper jaw.

Alligators outnumber crocodiles 1,000 to 1 in the wild in North America. The American crocodile is considered endangered, with a wild population of less than 500. The American alligator population is estimated at about 1.5 million-.

Answer 2

You can visually tell a difference by the snout and teeth. A croc's snout is narrow as opposed to being broad like a gator's nose. There is also a noted difference in the level of aggression and habitat. There are many more types of crocs than there are types of gators. There are even salt-water versions of crocs. Crocs are considered more dangerous and aggressive. It's hard to say how true the aggressiveness part is. I personally wouldn't want to be too close to either. Both can be calmed if turned over and rubbed on the belly from the neck toward the tail. CAUTION: do not go from the tail to the neck as this has the opposite effect. I wonder how the first guy found that out? I don't want to prove that one, but I've seen it at a park. Try some links:
http://www.itlnet.net/Kids.asp
http://www.itlnet.net/Research.asp

Answer 3

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 (I think 14??) 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 (about 6 species), which resemble crocodiles but are more closely related to gators, and gharial which are a family of their own.

Answer 4

Look at these websites for all the info you will ever need!

http://www.gatorland.com/fun/gatorcroc.html
Many people want to know what the difference is between alligators and crocodiles. There are many differences, most of which are not easy to see. One of the differences that you can see is the shape of the head. Alligators have a broader, more rounded snout while crocodiles have a narrower, more pointed snout. If you look at the side of a crocodile's mouth, you'll notice the fourth tooth on the bottom jaw sticks outside of the top jaw and into a groove. The upper and lower teeth of a crocodile stick outside the jaws while the bottom teeth of the alligator fit into sockets in the upper jaw.

http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/cbd-faq-q1.htm

http://www.wisegeek.com/what-is-the-difference-between-a-crocodile-and-an-alligator.htm

Here are some pics to help you compare:

Alligator- (notice the wide mouth)
http://images.livescience.com/images/top10_species_american_alligator.jpg

Crocodile- (narrow mouth)
http://www.cozumelinsider.com/images/cjtravels/Punta%20Sur%20croc.JPG

Answer 5

A crocodile has a longer, more narrow snout and had raised ridges going down it's back. An alligator has a more rounded snout and has no ridges down it's back. A croc is more aggressive than an alligator but I wouldn't stay very long around either one. Hope this helps.

Answer 6

Croc much more dangerous, and has sharp beak. GAtor has round beak. Crocks mainly live in AFrica, Asia and Australia, Gators are from South America.

Answer 7

Crocs live on the land (they can go in the water)

Alligators live in the water (they can go on the land)


Funny note - Im a teacher and a famous brand of flash cards used to teach English have a picture of a tortoise and the word 'turtle' lol. Tortoises and turtles are the same ie. the turtle lives in water and the tortoise lives on land, hence one has legs and the other has flippers. (stupid university people again trying to make money from making cards.)

Answer 8

Both are ugly but crocs come from Africa and Australia and gaters from America

Answer 9

According to the dictionary, the alligator has a broader, but shorter head - other than that the similarities are such that if you happen across either one, you will come off worse.

Answer 10

basically, a croc is bigger than a gator and its snout is wider and bigger than that of a gator.