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Alligators vs. This guide will go over the main differences between crocodiles and alligators. Some of them are downright fascinating! Apex predators in their respective habitats, there are very few animals that have the sheer power to match these living fossils.
Thanks to their similar appearance and behavior, many use their names interchangeably. However, there are some distinct differences between alligators and crocodiles that set them apart. While they can be subtle at a glance, there are many ways to correctly identify an alligator vs. Both of these reptile giants belong to the Crocodilia order. However, classification gets pretty complex after that.
Alligators are part of the Alligatordae family. Meanwhile, crocs belong to the Crocodylidae family. Size can vary between these species. That said, when it comes to alligators vs. The biggest species is the saltwater crocodile. It can reach lengths of about 23 feet, weighing more than a ton in some cases! Alligators are massive, too. The American alligator is the one that most people will encounter. It can reach lengths of 20 feet at most. But, they rarely get that big, even in captivity.
Females are only eight to ten feet long, weighing pounds. Males get to be around 13 feet long and tip the scales at 1, pounds. American crocodiles are slightly smaller than the average saltwater species.
But even still, they are a good four to six feet longer than the American alligator. Both are pretty scary and certainly powerful enough to take down prey. However, they have noticeably different outlines that cater to their hunting habits. The alligator has a broad snout.
Zoologists believe that the broader shape facilitates their preference for crushing objects. Tough targets like turtles are no match for the alligator! They can destroy the shell in one swift bite.
Crocodiles have robust jaws and capable snouts, too. But they are a little different in shape. It starts broad but tapers down to a narrow tip. The snout is V-shaped, creating a more linear-looking silhouette. The V-shaped snout is perfect for thrashing and physical destruction as far as hunting goes.
Crocs are more aggressive in their hunting tactics, preferring to rip and shred rather than crush more on this later. After all, these semi-aquatic animals have pretty similar color patterns. However, paying attention to both the shade of their skin and its distinct patterns can help you learn more about what it is. Generally, crocodiles have a lighter and more varied tone.
The exact color will depend on where the reptile lives. Most are usually olive green, tan, or light gray. Mottled or speckled coloration is standard for camouflage. American crocodiles typically have a slate-colored body with yellow or white bellies. The countershading is a unique type of camouflage that helps the creature blend in with the water to prey below. Alligators are dark green. The skin is slick and shiny.
In some lighting conditions, they can appear almost black! Gators living in algae-rich bodies of water may appear slightly greener, but most are dark enough to blend in with the muck of river banks. The dome receptors help the gator regulate water pressure and detect vibrations.
Dome receptors are translucent on crocodiles, making them more challenging to see. In the crocodile vs. While their snouts are more pointed, you have to remember that crocs are bigger and heavier.
They have a more muscular jaw, resulting in a bite force of roughly 3, PSI. For some perspective, most humans use a mere to PSI of bite force when chewing steak! Gators produce about 2, PSI when they bite down! As a whole, crocodiles tend to be stronger than alligators. The reason for that comes down to sheer size and behavior. Crocodiles can be several feet bigger than alligators while weighing nearly twice as much.
Their sheer muscle mass produces more strength compared to a gator. On top of all that, their bite is more lethal. Crocs tend to be a little more violent with their prey, too. They use their muscles to shred flesh and incapacitate animals.
As a result, they have to be pretty strong to be where they are on the food chain. Crocodiles have a jaw that closes from the top down. As a result, they have visible teeth on both the top and bottom jaws. The teeth interlock and produce a jagged appearance. With alligators, only the top row of teeth is visible. The entire bottom row of teeth is hidden, as the top jaw creates a slight overbite.
The shape of the teeth is different, too. For crocodiles, the teeth are pointed and jagged. The animal thrashes around to destroy prey. As a result, the teeth are sharper. On the other hand, alligators have cone-shaped teeth. They offer more crushing power to destroy turtles and other tough animals. Both crocodiles and alligators are fully capable of being aggressive. These animals are responsible for human deaths, too. But when you look at the statistics for aggressive behavior, crocodiles are much scarier.
These animals are the embodiment of opportunistic eaters. They will go after anything that moves in their area. Hundreds of crocodile attacks are reported every year. Some of the most violent species are saltwater crocs near Australia.
Nile crocodiles are known for being pretty aggressive, too. Alligators can attack as well. Ask anyone who lives near water in Florida, and they probably have stories of coming across alligators without immediately realizing it. Expert Tip: Luckily, most alligators will not attack unless provoked or actively protect eggs. As a whole, gators only account for less than six percent of all crocodilian attacks.
Alligators are much more tolerant of cold temperatures than crocodiles. Both animals are cold-blooded and require relatively warm temperatures to thrive. When the temperature dips to uncomfortable levels, the reptiles go dormant. For crocodiles, that dormancy occurs much sooner.
Crocs only tolerate temperatures between 85 and 93 degrees Fahrenheit. On the other hand, alligators can stand temperatures as low as 79 degrees.
The difference might not seem like much, but that extra tolerance allows the gator to move farther north in colder territories. Both animals have been on this planet for millions of years, acting as remnants of a turbulent past long gone.
All that said, crocodiles are much older. Their ancestry goes back million years to the Jurassic Period, according to fossil records. The earliest crocodiles were entirely aquatic. As we know them today, Crocodiles can be traced back 70 million years. The earliest ancestors for the alligators are estimated to be about million years ago. Crocodiles belong to the Crocodylidae family.
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