Crocodiles and Alligators *Amends?

Question

I'm doing a research paper on Crocs and Gators but i cant seem to find a website that explains the differnce between them.. Can anyone help me?? Also, any one has info on the fabled ' supercroc ' aka flash croc emperor??

I would also like to know about the gavial

Answer 1

There are four families within the order 'crocodilia'

First of all you have your crocodiles :) Crocodiles can be found in Africa, Asia, the Americas and Australia. They are generally found in freshwater, but some species (like the Australian Salt Water Crocodile) will live in Brackish (salty) water.

Crocodiles generally have more tapered (v-shaped) jaws than alligators. Crocodiles also have a very large, prominent 4th tooth on their lower jaw and when the jaw is closed you can see teeth from both the lower and upper jaw. Alligators' have wider, more blunt jaws and when their mouths are closed the teeth in their lower jaws fit into sockets in their upper jaw, so they aren't visible.

The are two species of alligator. The American alligator and the much rarer Chinese Alligator.

Closely related to alligators, and sometimes listed as being in the same family, are Caiman. Caiman can be found in Central and South American and there are 6 diffrent species.

Last but not least you have the family 'Gavailidae' which consists of the Gharial (or Gavrial) and he False Gharial (False Gavriel). These two species have very long narrow jaws (an adaptation to eating a pretty much all fish diet). They occur in India/Asia.

The 'supercroc' or 'Sarcosuchus Imperator' is thought to have lived 110 million years ago, with fossils being found in the Niger area. Based on fossils (about 50% complete) scientists believe that supercrocs grew up to 37-40 feet long and could wieth up to 8 metric tonnes.

I've put some links below in sources, with some more info that may help.

Answer 2

The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is that they are from different families of crocodilians. Crocodiles are from the crocodylidae family, while alligators and caiman are from the alligatoridae family.

The second is that the croc's snout is in V-shape and their teeth show when they close it while the Alligator's is in U-shape and their teeth do not show when they close it.

Another physical difference is that crocodiles have a lighter olive brown coloration, while alligators appear blackish. Alligators also prefer freshwater while crocodiles like brackish water and sometimes even ocean.

Answer 3

(Learned from the crocidle hunter)
The Crocidle is WAY larger then the Aligator, and the Crocadile has bigger and sharper teeth.
The Gavile's snout it very skinny, and has 2 bumps at the end.
The crocadiles teeth some out over the skin to where there showing, and they have a bump where there snout ends.
The alagator's teeth are all inside it's mouth, and it's got little noses that come out atop of it's snout.
You can tell from size, color, and snout.