What is the difference between a crocodile and an aligator?

Question

We are just talking about it and none of us can remember

Answer 1

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

In terms of physical differences the easiest way to tell the difference between the two is that a crocodile has a very long, narrow, V-shaped snout, while the alligator's snout is wider and U-shaped. Because of the wide snout of the alligator it packs more crushing power to eat prey like turtles that constitute part of its diet. The narrow crocodile snout, although still very powerful, is not really suited for prey like turtles but is very versatile for fish and mammals.

Another physical difference between the crocodile and the alligator is that the crocodile's upper and lower jaws are nearly the same width, so the teeth are exposed all along the jaw line in an interlocking pattern, even when the mouth is closed. They also have an enormous 4th tooth on the lower jaw that is accommodated by depressions in the upper jaw just behind the nostrils.

Answer 2

Crocodiles have a more narrow snout, a more aggressive disposition and generally a lighter color to their scales. They can also reach sizes between 8 and 17 feet. Gators are lucky to reach 15 feet. Crocodiles also live in a different part of the world. Crocs live around Australia, Southeast Asia and Central/South America. Those are just saltwater crocs. Freshwater crocs are tiny, snappy things with very thin snouts.

Answer 3

There are about 25 extant species of crocodilians. Most are called crocodiles, but there are two species called alligators -- Alligator missisipiensis, which lives in the United States, and Alligator sinensis, which lives in China. The most obvious difference between alligators and crocodiles is that alligators have blunt snouts.

Answer 4

its the same difference as a buffalo and a bison they are the same animal just from different parts of the world. if somebody crossed an aligator with a crocodile would anybody notice? there are probably crocogators or alidiles out there and nobody knows the difference.

Answer 5

The only reliable way to tell them apart is that the fourth tooth from the front is visible on a croc when its mouth is closed. It is hidden on an alligator. Snout width is usable only in some places. such as Florida. There is a broad-snouted crocodile (that's both a description and the common name). There are also caimans and gavials to complicate things.

Answer 6

the difference is a croc is larger and their snouts are rounder also they show both top and bottom rows of teeth when their mouths are closed but... a gator is smaller and has a longer more narrow snout they're smaller and only their top rows of teeth show when their mouths are closed

Answer 7

is it that one opens the top jaw only and the other can open both?

Answer 8

One lives here and the other doesn't...

Answer 9

the spelling!

Answer 10

Both nasty.