A lot of people seem to be confused between the alligator and the crocodile. These two may seem similar at first glance, but they are different from each other. Both of these giant reptiles come under the same order, ‘Crocodilian’; however, they belong to different families. In this article, we will learn how to differentiate an alligator from a crocodile.
Before diving into the differences, let us learn something about both of these reptiles.
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Alligator
A huge reptile in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae of the order Crocodilia is known by the common name “gator.” The American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis) are the two surviving species. Roughly 37 million years ago, in the late Eocene epoch, alligators made their initial appearance.
Two species of alligators are still in existence today. But there were formerly seven more species of alligators; all of them are now extinct. Alligators still exist in two distinct regions of the world: America and China. Roughly 33 million years ago, the American and Chinese alligators are believed to have separated apart, and the Chinese alligators most likely came from a lineage that crossed the Bering Land Bridge during the Neogene.
Types of Alligator
There are two types of alligators here we will take a brief look at the key differences between these alligators.
Chinese Alligator
- They are commonly found in the bodies of fresh water, particularly wetlands and ponds, in areas transitioning between subtropical and temperate climates.
- The Chinese alligator is one of the smallest crocodilians, which can grow up to a maximum length of 1.5–2.1 meters (5–7 feet), and an adult can weigh about 36–45 kilograms (80–100 lb).
- In general, the length of female alligators is about three-quarters that of male alligators.
- In comparison, American alligators can reach a maximum length of 3.4 meters (11.2 feet) for adult males and 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) for adult females.
- In general, the length of female alligators is about three-quarters that of male alligators.
- When the Chinese alligator reaches adulthood, its coloration is almost entirely black or dark gray.
- It features a short, broad nose that narrows at the end and tips somewhat upward.
- Its nose is divided by a bone septum, and its head is thicker than that of the American alligator.
- It possesses between 72 and 76 teeth in total, with 13–14 maxillary, 5 premaxillary, and 18–19 mandibular.
American Alligator
- Among the crocodilian species, the American alligator is one of the largest. It is, on average, the largest species in the Alligatoridae family; the black caiman may be larger.
- Length, age, health, season, and the availability of food sources all have a significant impact on weight.
- The northwestern part of the American alligator’s range, which includes southern Arkansas, Alabama, and northern North Carolina, generally has much smaller alligators compared to other parts.
- When weighed in captivity, male alligators measuring 3 to 4 m (9 ft. 10 in to 13 ft. 1 in) were found to weigh about 200 to 350 kg (440 to 770 lb).
- However, because captive specimens are not subjected to the same stresses as wild specimens, they may weigh more than their larger counterparts.
- Large adult American alligators are typically robust and bulky compared to other crocodilians of similar length.
- Huge male American alligators may reach to a maximum length of about 4.6 meters (15 feet 1 inch) and can weigh about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), while females can grow to a maximum length of 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches).
- However, the biggest female alligator which was allowed to roam in the wild reached about 3.22 meters (10 feet 7 inches) in length and 170 kilograms (370 pounds).
- A huge, elderly alligator may occasionally develop to even greater lengths.
Crocodile
The family Crocodilia, which includes true crocodiles, comprises enormous semiaquatic reptiles found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. In many cases, the term “crocodile” is additionally broadly used to refer to any living member of the order Crocodilia, which includes, among various extinct species, the gharial and false gharial (family Gavialidae), the Alligatoridae (family Alligatoridae), and caimans and alligators.
Humans have learned of eighteen distinct species of crocodiles. The morphological characteristics of a crocodile enable it to be an effective predator. Its aquatic and predatory lifestyle is indicated by the way it looks on the outside. It can swim swiftly given its streamlined body and because it tucks its feet to the side when swimming, which reduces resistance from the water.
Features of Crocodile
- Every species of crocodile, ranging from the saltwater crocodile to the dwarf crocodile, differs significantly in size.
- The size of some adult dwarf crocodile species (Osteolaemus) can reach 1.5 to 1.9 m (4.9 to 6.2 ft.), while the adult saltwater crocodile can reach up to 6 m (20 ft.) in length and weigh more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb).
- Other huge species have lengths of up to 5.2 m (17 ft.) and weights of up to 900 kg (2,000 lb). With males growing far larger and faster than females, crocodilians exhibit strong sexual dimorphism.
- At the time of hatching the size of the crocodile is around 20 cm (7.9 in) in length.
- The saltwater crocodile, which is the biggest variety of crocodile, exists in Southeast Asia, northern Australia, eastern India, and the surrounding oceans.
- As polyphyodonty, crocodiles can replace each of their 80 teeth up to 50 times during their 35–75-year life.
- A little replacement tooth and an odontogenic stem cell in the dental lamina are present next to each fully developed tooth, ready to be generated when needed.
- Eggs are laid by crocodiles in either a hole or mound nest, depending on the species.
- A mound nest is often made of plants, whereas a hole nest is typically dug out of the sand.
- Nesting seasons vary from a few weeks to a full six months.
Differences Between Alligator and Crocodile
Here are some key differences between alligators and crocodiles.
| Alligator | Crocodile |
| A huge reptile in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae of the order Crocodilia is known by the common name “gator.” | The family Crocodilia, which includes true crocodiles, comprises enormous semiaquatic reptiles found in tropical regions of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. |
| They are commonly found in the bodies of fresh water, particularly wetlands and ponds, in areas transitioning between subtropical and temperate climates. | Huge male American alligators may reach a maximum length of about 4.6 meters (15 feet 1 inch) and can weigh about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), while females can grow to a maximum length of 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches). |
| Huge male American alligators may reach to a maximum length of about 4.6 meters (15 feet 1 inch) and can weigh about 500 kilograms (1,100 pounds), while females can grow to a maximum length of 3 meters (9 feet 10 inches). | The size of some adult dwarf crocodile species (Osteolaemus) can reach 1.5 to 1.9 m (4.9 to 6.2 ft.), while the adult saltwater crocodile can reach up to 6 m (20 ft.) in length and weigh more than 1,000 kg (2,200 lb). |
| Little replacement teeth and an odontogenic stem cell in the dental lamina are present next to each fully developed tooth, ready to be generated when needed. | Alligators feature a bigger, U-shaped upper jaw, and powerful crusher teeth, but no lower teeth. |
| They don’t have a replacement tooth in case. | They are commonly found in the saltwater of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, eastern India, and the surrounding oceans as well as the freshwater of the Nile, Indian sub-continent, and other rivers around the world. |
| They are not aggressive as compared to crocodiles but can kill an adult human if provoked. | The morphological characteristics of a crocodile enable it to be an effective predator. They are more aggressive and can attack humans without provocation. |
| They have less powerful salt glands and a darker, almost black shading. Alligators have broader snouts. | They have an olive-colored appearance, considerably better salt ducts that allow them to avoid salt water because they can only drink fresh water, a larger number of pores, and shorter and elongated snouts. |
| They are commonly found in the saltwater of Southeast Asia, northern Australia, eastern India, and the surrounding oceans as well as the freshwater of Nile, Indian sub-continent, and other rivers around the world. | The breeding season starts in the spring. On spring nights, American alligators congregate in huge numbers for group courting in what is known as “water dances”. The female constructs a nest of plants, sticks, leaves, and mud in a secluded location in or near the water. |
Video On Difference Between Alligator and Crocodile
References
- https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/facts/american-alligator
- https://seaworld.org/animals/facts/reptiles/crocodiles-and-alligators/#:~:text=Alligators%20are%20dark%20colored%20with,narrow%2C%20tapered%2C%20triangular%20snout.
- https://animals.howstuffworks.com/reptiles/alligator-vs-crocodile.htm
- https://www.evergladesholidaypark.com/blog/alligators-and-crocodiles/
- https://www.discoverwildlife.com/animal-facts/reptiles/crocodile-vs-alligator
