Crocodile V. Alligator
by AJ M
Most people think there’s no difference between alligators and crocodiles. Do you think there is? If you said no then you’re incorrect. There is a difference. Want to learn more? Just continue reading.
American alligators are the apex predators of the Florida Everglades and South East United States. Their only true predators are humans. In 1967 through 1986 the species was in danger of extinction, but now has made a full recovery. The American alligators main food sources are: Turtles, fish, small mammals and birds, but humans normally don’t get consumed.
Crocodiles have an interesting history. Dinosaurs are the closest non-bird relatives of the crocodile so that makes them modern dinos. When breeding season begins the males make a bellowing grunt ‘song’ that says to other males “don’t you dare get any closer!” and to females “mate with me!” Another cool fact about them is that they have the camouflage of the century. They can blend in with just about any natural environment especially underwater. Crocodiles and alligators are much alike but, have some key differences. For example, when their jaws are closed, crocodiles’ bottom teeth poke out and alligators’ do not. One of their differences is that a crocodile snout is more triangular than the alligator’s which is more rounded. Another difference is where they live, American alligators mainly in the Florida Everglades and Louisiana, while the crocodile lives in southern Mexico, Caribbean, and Cuba, with small populations in Florida. One characteristic that they share is that they both have an infinite amount of teeth. Another cool thing that they have in common is that their eyes shine at night which allows them to see better in the dark.
Just because crocodiles and alligators have mouthfuls of teeth giant gaping jaws and scale covered bodies doesn’t mean they’re the most deadly animal in the world! In fact they are absolute relics of the past. All they want to do is try to survive and that is acceptable of any animal. In truth creatures that look scary just get themselves a bad reputation.
All information on alligators comes from savanna River ecology laboratory and all information on crocodiles comes from people.wcsu.edu/pinout/herpetology/cacutus/.
by AJ M
Most people think there’s no difference between alligators and crocodiles. Do you think there is? If you said no then you’re incorrect. There is a difference. Want to learn more? Just continue reading.
American alligators are the apex predators of the Florida Everglades and South East United States. Their only true predators are humans. In 1967 through 1986 the species was in danger of extinction, but now has made a full recovery. The American alligators main food sources are: Turtles, fish, small mammals and birds, but humans normally don’t get consumed.
Crocodiles have an interesting history. Dinosaurs are the closest non-bird relatives of the crocodile so that makes them modern dinos. When breeding season begins the males make a bellowing grunt ‘song’ that says to other males “don’t you dare get any closer!” and to females “mate with me!” Another cool fact about them is that they have the camouflage of the century. They can blend in with just about any natural environment especially underwater. Crocodiles and alligators are much alike but, have some key differences. For example, when their jaws are closed, crocodiles’ bottom teeth poke out and alligators’ do not. One of their differences is that a crocodile snout is more triangular than the alligator’s which is more rounded. Another difference is where they live, American alligators mainly in the Florida Everglades and Louisiana, while the crocodile lives in southern Mexico, Caribbean, and Cuba, with small populations in Florida. One characteristic that they share is that they both have an infinite amount of teeth. Another cool thing that they have in common is that their eyes shine at night which allows them to see better in the dark.
Just because crocodiles and alligators have mouthfuls of teeth giant gaping jaws and scale covered bodies doesn’t mean they’re the most deadly animal in the world! In fact they are absolute relics of the past. All they want to do is try to survive and that is acceptable of any animal. In truth creatures that look scary just get themselves a bad reputation.
All information on alligators comes from savanna River ecology laboratory and all information on crocodiles comes from people.wcsu.edu/pinout/herpetology/cacutus/.