are alligators less dangerous (relatively speaking) than crocodiles?

Question

I mean in general?

I heard that alligators are less dangerous than crocodiles when they are on land?

Answer 1

Just something I wanted to point out. Stomach content analysis of alligators in Florida showed preferences to shorebirds and turtles, not turtles and fish, given an opporturnity, yes, alligators will eat all the fish they can catch, but unless water is very low or the fish can be cornered against a seawall, most fish are too quick and agile for alligators to catch.

Now, comparing alligators to the big crocs, (Niles, Salties, etc, yes, alligators are much less dangerous... again, daily activities being done in local streams and ponds as mentioned earlier, and also, size comparison between ourselves and the normal food items of some of these animals, wildebeeste, zebra, etc.... that just makes us that much easier.)

BUT.....

Here in Florida, (Yes, the only place in the world with alligators -and- crocodiles naturally), the alligator is the more dangerous of the two. There has been only one fatality from an American Croc here in Florida, and that was nearly 100 years ago.

Now... Size... Neither alligators nor crocodiles here in Florida reach over 20 feet long. Record for American crocs here is 16 feet, in other parts of their range, however, there are unconfirmed reports of 20+ feet... unconfirmed. Record size for an American alligator, again, unconfirmed at 19 feet in Lousiana (Just because the hide was that long doesn't mean the alligator was... usually hides stretch at about an inch per foot, and this was before regulations on alligator trade.) The largest verifiable alligator was 17 feet and 5 inches from a lake in Apopka. Isn't that big enough for people? Do they absolutely -have- to be over 20 feet long to get anyone's attention? Trust me, when you're looking at a 12 or 13 footer in the wild, that's big enough.

Now, another thing. Alligators don't eat people. Yes, people get killed by them, but, other than accidental digit ingestion, I do not believe there are any (recent at least) instances in which a severed body part wasn't recovered after an attack here in Florida. I'm convinced that they simply don't like the way we taste.

Answer 2

OK lets settle this. Alligators are primarily turtle and fish specialists. MOST Crocs feed on land animals that approach the water to drink. There are exceptions as their are far more species of crocs than alligators and some crocs like the ghariel are strictly fish eaters and are extremely specialized for such a life. Therefore alligators are generally less dangerous than crocs. However an alligator will still take an unwary land animal like a human. Respect them!

Now as for size. It depends on both the alligator and crocodile you are talking about. American crocodiles andalligators both can reach over 20 feet. Salt water crocs can be slightly larger as can Nile crocs. Other crocs are smaller as is the chinese alligators and all the caimans which are an alligator relative.

Answer 3

Relatively and generally speaking, alligators are much less dangerous than crocodiles... but it kind of depends on what kind of crocodile you mean. Most crocodiles are bigger and MUCH more aggressive than alligators. There are a few exceptions, but on the whole you are correct. Crocodiles are more dangerous.

Answer 4

I suppose it depends on how you evaluate your question...overall more people each year die from crocodile attacks, so I guess you could say they were the more dangerous of the two.

However, many of these people live (or should I say now 'don't live'?) on the African and Indian mainland and the Australian shorelines, where there are a high concentration of these beasties. In many African countries and in India it is a part of daily life to enter the rivers or coastal marsh areas to fish or to wash clothes or to bathe.

Many of the people killed each year are doing these necessary things when they get attacked.

Alligators, living mainly in the North American regions are far less likely to find dinner standing in their 'patch' bathing, or washing clothes, etc. As people are generally aware of the dangers and have no real need to wash their clothes in rivers and so on.

One thing is for sure, though, BOTH can and do kill, they are weighty beasts and have strong jaws. So if you are facing one don't start working out which type it is...just back away from it and hope it isn't too hungry.

Cheers,

BobSpain

Answer 5

Alligators are less aggressive and are smaller than crocs. So relatively speaking, yes they are less dangerous.

Answer 6

Alligators are generally less agressive than crocs, so yes, I would say they are less dangerous...however, alligators are generally bigger and stronger than crocs, so if they do attack they may do more damage.

Answer 7

crocs are bigger

Answer 8

they will both eat you