What's the difference between a crocodile, alligator and a caiman????

Question

Just wondering....

Answer 1

Crocodiles typically thrive in saltwater environments and are very aggressive when in comparison to alligators and caimans. Also, the teeth of a croc are visible even when the mouth is closed. Crocodiles also have stubbier, stouter snouts that alligators.

Alligators typically thrive in freshwater environments and anatomy-wise, their eyes are more dorsal than a crocodile's and they have longer, more narrow snouts.

Caimans are extremely similar to alligators but lack the bony septum in between the nostrils and their armor plating is situated differently. Additionally, their snouts tend to be the stubbiest of all. I also think there may be a difference in where you would typically find one - probably more Indian Ocean or rainforest-type areas.

Answer 2

Caiman Crocodile

Answer 3

They are all Crocodilians, and are in the order Crocodylia (sounds like a flower that bites). The order has three families: Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae, and Gavialidae. Alligators and caimans are in the alligator family; crocodiles are in the crocodile family; and the Indian gharial is in the gavial family. The differences among them seem pretty small, compared to the differences among members of, say, the carnivores. These include: jaw shape, tooth placement, salt glands, and the location of pressure-detecting sense organs. Maybe it's because we're mammals, so they all look kinda alike to us?

Answer 4

Hi,

I am not a wildlife expert, so take this information lightly, but I believe there is, essentially, no difference...

...except that of species divergence. (In the same way that leopards, lions, domestic cats, etc. are all the same family) Crocodiles (of various types) inhabit Africa, Australia and several other countries. The almost identical alligators are what they are called in the United States (though just a little further South, in Central America they are called crocodiles again. Caimans are the Asian (and slightly smaller) equivalent.

As with many species there is a huge variety. The caiman tends to have a very narrow nose, the alligator much broader, but these, I believe, are regional variations, not a separate species indicator.

Hope that helps. (and keep your fingers out of the way, whatever type!)

BobSpain

Answer 5

All three are part of the same family: "Crocodilian family". Alligators and caimen are similar and roughly the same size. Crocodiles are the largest of the species. Alligators are strictly found in North America and it's close cousin the "Camien" is found in Central & South America. Crocodiles are Found in Africa, Australia, Throughout all of Asia & Indonesia, Jaimaca, Central America, and yes believe it or not in North America(Florida). The smallest of all the species are the Crocodiles found in Cental America, followed by a species found in the Salt water marshes on the very tip of Florida. This species is almost extint.Crocodiles are most numerous in Africa and the northern part of Australia. There is a river in Australia that has more crocodiles packed into a small area that if you were to fall off a walk bridge that crosses the river, the chances of you making it to shore is like slim to none.

Answer 6

Caimen are more closely related to alligators than crocodiles. Alligators have broad snouts for crushing hard turtle shells whereas crocodiles snout is narrower and more for attacking and holding a large mammal that can't break free, and deathrolling. Also, crocodiles are far more aggressive and dominant than alligators.. A 12 foot 500 pound crocodile eats first at feeding time than a 16 foot and 1,000 pound gator. It's not the size; it's the ferocity.

Answer 7

Crocs have thin snouts compared to alligators. Caimans are smaller than alligators but are also falls in the same kind.

One more species which is missed out here is the Indian Gharial which has a very thin snout, making it incapable of catching larger prey. It can can only eat big fish usually.

Answer 8

Alligator has a thinner snout and lot smaller then
crocodile in size.where crocks are huge very big and wide head .. as for the Cayman aren't they the same thing a alligator only their have heavily armoured belly's

Answer 9

The most obvious difference between a croc & a gator is the head of the animal. Gators are usually wider and flatter, & the Crocs' are narrower. Then there's the bite..... big difference in the bite pattern between them. And, if I remember right, the Cayman is a form of Croc. Hope this helps. J.

Answer 10

Just enter "crocodile, alligator, and/or caiman" into your Internet browser and you'll get more information about them then you could possibly use.