What's the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

Question

Just wondering...

Answer 1

Differences of BOTH:

1. They belong to different families:
>> alligator - alligatoridae ,
>>"true" crocodiles - crocodylidae

2. Difference in shape of SNOUTS:
>>Compared to the Crocodile, Alligators have short, rounded snouts while Crocodiles have longer and tapered snouts. Alligators (and caimans) have a wide "U"-shaped, rounded snout (like a shovel), whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more pointed "V"-shaped noses.
>> Alligators are characterized by a broader snout and eyes more dorsally located than their crocodile cousins however crocodiles have longer snout than alligators.

3. Difference in TEETH PLACEMENT:
An alligator has their lower teeth fit inside the edge of the upper jaw and cannot be seen when their mouth is closed. Crocodiles on the other hand have upper and lower teeth that can be seen.

4. Differences in Lingual salt glands function:
Crocodiles have functioning salt glands on their tongue while alligators have lost the ability to use them for excreting significant amounts of salt.

5.Differences in Integumentary sense Organs:
Crocodiles have small, sensory pits dotted covering virtually every scale on their body, but alligators only have those around their jaws.

6.Some crocodiles species are more aggressive than alligators.

7. The broad snout of alligators is designed for strength, capable of withstanding the stress caused to bone when massive force is applied to crack open turtles and hard-shelled invertebrates which form part of their diet. While the pointed snout of a crocodile isn't quite as strong as the alligatorine shape, but the crocodile is still capable of exerting massive biting power.

Answer 2

Alligators are found in the United States; ie: Florida, Louisiana, etc... But, while there ARE Crocidiles there too, there aren't as many; AND the Croc's are more aggressive and are found all over the world.. You can tell the difference by looking at the snouts.. The Alligator's snout is more rounded than the Croc's,,, The REAL truth is though; an Alligator will stalk and attack a human too, and DO kill humans all the time; the Crocidiles get all the attention since they're a worldwide species, and for that reason alone they attack and kill more humans than thier American cousins! Check out this link I put for you...

Answer 3

The main difference is the crocodile has narrower jaws. A minor difference is that crocodiles can be found in salt water. The alligator only exists in freshwater.

Answer 4

The difference is in the fourth tooth. In alligators (American and Chinese), the tooth fits into a socket and cannot be seen when the jaw is closed. In crocs, there are notches and the tooth can be seen when the jaw is closed. While all gators have broad snouts, so does the broad-snouted crocodile.

Answer 5

two differences; alligator teeth are in straight rows LIKE THIS : LlLlLlLlLl.

; while crocs have pointy teeth that fit into each other like a puzzle LIKE THIS: WWWW.
also alligators usually live in freshwater except one species.
while grocs live in salt water.

Answer 6

kind of like the difference between a donkey and a horse. Very similar, but still genetically two different species. If you were asking which was longer, stronger, where they live, and stuff like that, sorry, zoology never was my thing.

Answer 7

oooh! i know the answer to that one! crocs have a more pointy snout and alligators have more roundy one.plus there a bit smaller. got to go now chelsea is on. xxx

Answer 8

I would think it of little importance if either one had my leg in its gob!

Answer 9

heres a good link that you may find helpful:

http://www.sandiegozoo.org/animalbytes/t-crocodile.html

Answer 10

salt!