Alligators and Crocodiles
Crocodiles and alligators are two reptiles that are often mistaken for each other. One of the most common questions alligator and crocodile researchers face today is what the differences are between the two. Although these reptiles favor in physical features, there are numerous differences. The first three differences between the alligator and crocodile are not in physical appearance. These differences are in their subfamilies, number of species, and the origination of their names. Although the alligator and crocodile are both reptiles, the alligator belongs to the alligatorinae subfamily and the crocodile to the crocodylinae subfamily. The alligator and crocodile also differ in their number of species. The alligator has only two different species while the crocodile has twenty- three. The originat
Also in the mouth is the most significant difference. They look different, act different, and are found in different areas of the world, but still the most common question asked to alligator and crocodile researchers is what the difference is between the two reptiles. The skin of the crocodile also has a small spot or dimple close to the edge. Alligators are only found in America, except for a small part of China known as the Yangtze River Valley. Other differences between the crocodile and alligator are salt glands, sensory pits, and their skin. ion’s of their names also come from different phrases and words. Their snouts are very strong, and are capable of withstanding the great crushing power for cracking open turtles and hard-shelled invertebrates. The most obvious way to distinguish the alligator and crocodile from each other is the structure of their mouth and teeth. The fourth tooth of the alligator stays inside the mouth. This feature is not present on the alligator. The crocodile has a longer, more pointed “V” shaped snout. The average crocodile tends to grow eighteen to nineteen feet in length and the alligator grows to an average of fourteen to fifteen feet in length. The alligator lacks these salt glands along with small, sensory pits covering the entire body surface of the crocodile. The crocodile’s upper and lower jaws are approximately the same width and the upper jaw sits evenly on the lower jaw. The fourth tooth, which is present in the crocodile overbite, is not seen in the alligator.
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