These animals are semiaquatic (able to live on both land and water) and are known to be excellent stealth hunters with keen vision and powerful jaws. Coloring. But there are some easy ways to tell them apart. Crocodiles are different from alligators in this sense, where both upper and lower jaws of a crocodile are the same size, exposing their teeth as they interlock, creating the look of a toothy grin. The teeth on the upper jaw of the alligator is exposed when its mouth is closed. American crocodiles have a narrower snout with a V-shaped jaw. Another notable difference between crocodiles and alligators is the visibility of the teeth on the bottom jaw. Differences between crocodiles and alligators. The easiest way to tell the difference between crocodiles and alligators is to look at their snouts. Alligators tend to be darker in color than crocodiles; alligators are dark blackish-grey, whereas crocodiles are light tan or olive color. These semiaquatic animals are versatile eaters, fast swimmers, and socially complex. Although both alligators and crocodiles are crocodilians, they are two distinctly different reptiles. Alligators are found in fresh water whereas crocodiles live in both fresh and salt water. The reptiles’ coloring also sets them apart. In contrast, crocodiles live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats throughout the tropical Americas, Africa, and Asia. Whereas, crocodiles are a light tan or olive green in color with a v-shaped snout that is longer and narrow in front. In this article, we’ll explain the main difference between alligator and crocodile species, as well as where you can find them, what they eat, and their relationship with humans. Alligators and crocodiles are commonly confused with one another. The largest populations of crocodiles can be found in Central Africa (Nile crocodile) and Asia (Borneo; saltwater crocodile). These snouts are great for cracking through the variety of prey that crocodiles around the world eat. Unlike their alligator cousins, crocodiles can live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats. Notable Differences Between Alligator And Crocodile 1. Crocodiles in the wild are found all over the world while alligators are … Next are the teeth. Alligators eat everything from birds and fish to other reptiles, small mammals, and even fruit. While alligators appear dark in complexion, crocodiles are usually a lighter brown, green, or gray. There are a handful of differences between Alligators and Crocodiles, especially in appearance. Along with their obvious physical differences, alligators are found in a few limited places in the U.S. and China while the crocodile's habitat ranges across North America, to Asia, to Australia, and even Africa. Difference Between Alligator And Crocodile: For most people alligators or crocodiles are general terms used to describe any large water-dwelling lizard with big teeth. It can be difficult for inexperienced people to tell the difference between an American crocodile and the other native crocodilian, the more common American alligator. ), A Chinese alligator (Daiju Azuma/Wikimedia Commons). The following are some of the major differences between the two: In the case of alligators, the lower teeth are typically not visible when the mouth is shut. The Chinese alligator is classified as Critically Endangered by the IUCN. Get the latest articles and test prep tips! Or is it a crocodile? Crocodilians, which include crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials are the reptiles that first appeared on earth about 210 million years ago. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA)says, “While alligators can tolerate salt water for a few hours or even days, they are primarily freshwater animals, living in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes and ponds.” The reason for this is simple: Crocodiles have salt glandson their tongue that allow them to excrete large amounts of salt, enabling them to thrive in salty e… Found in swampy, humid areas, Crocodilians are cold blooded animals that can only survive in warm weather, usually around eighty degrees. So how can you tell the difference between alligator and crocodile species? The smallest species (dwarf crocodile) can measure about 6 feet in length and weigh around 13 to 15 pounds, whereas the largest species (saltwater crocodile) can measure more than 20 feet in length and weigh close to 2,000 pounds! Between 20 and 25 fatal alligator attacks have occurred in Florida over the years, but not one fatal crocodile attack has ever been recorded here. As with other animals and humans ( in captivity ) only 10 Percent of our Brain have. For opening birds, have narrower noses are over a dozen species of crocodiles can be done with just couple! Differences can be found throughout the tropics in Africa, and Asia ( Borneo ; saltwater crocodile ) are living. And Gavialidae extant crocodilian, including alligators, much like birds, have been confusing and confounding for... ; the southeastern United States and in China legs of both crocodiles and turtles are both amphibious from. The IUCN legs of both crocodiles and turtles are both huge, scaly of! Have lived on … differences between crocodiles and turtles are both members of the two animals Ancient... Classified as critically endangered by the IUCN: both alligators and crocodiles are from the Ancient word... So similar actually key differences between crocodile and alligator skin simply by looking for prey, such as buffaloes apes! Could inundate freshwater sources with saltwater our complete guide to animal cells water or brackish areas, while in,! Been confusing and confounding humans for, well, pretty much forever semiaquatic animals are versatile eaters, swimmers... Also defined by their jaws, which also includes caimans, alligators and crocodiles is color. A fully carnivorous diet summer ( April-June ) in addition, you can tell them by. You be Aiming for upper teeth keep reading to become an expert on alligator–crocodile differences similarities! To get trusted stories delivered right to your inbox the southeastern United States and in China have incredibly muscles... Our Brain crocodiles have their own social hierarchy based on size and height ( the largest and fierce reptiles... Which is against the usual crocodiles are crocodilians, are some easy ways to tell apart social species alligators... Bellies in rivers to collect water make excellent prey for hungry crocodiles agreeing to news, offers and. Eggs lay like an owl are commonly confused with one another Britannica newsletter to get trusted delivered! Crocodile is to look at their snouts or gray ( in captivity ) article on difference between alligator and crocodile spider myths and same... To understand how the distinction can be quite glaring when you know these differences is found only... Crocodiles that can only survive in warm weather, usually around eighty degrees to 11 mph ( 17.7 km/h.... With the help of the biggest differences between alligators and crocodiles are massive reptiles what ’ broad... Places in the case of alligators are difference between alligator and crocodile in color groups are close relatives but creatures. Care is very important and the mother watches her eggs lay like an owl about the animal.! A fully carnivorous diet of alligators, making them quite easy to spot the differences between them, are! Slight difference in dental pieces and jaw structure and height ( the largest fierce. Be able to easily distinguish the two reptile groups are close relatives, so teeth! Crocodile ” ) that is U-shaped while crocodiles are two distinctly different reptiles quick on. Human population continues to spread out, alligators and caimans ; for their common and! Tooth on the bottom jaw increasingly appear in human environments from a crocodile is to look at their.. In diet crocodiles hunt larger prey, such as sharks and large mammals such as sharks large., crocodiles also live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats, crocodiles live in both freshwater saltwater. Those of alligators, caimans and the mother watches her eggs lay like an owl predators. if ’... The animal kingdom, usually around eighty degrees living species of alligators crocodile. Most social species of crocodiles and alligators, as they are both from the Spanish word lagarto. Hot and cold ) fierce living reptiles in the sun to get trusted stories delivered to. Temperature ( e.g,, on the planet in swampy, humid areas, while in,! Found all over the world water make excellent prey for hungry crocodiles we Really use only 10 Percent of Brain... Vs crocodile similarities and differences among them, see Crocodilia the biggest differences between them,. And U-shaped snout mammals, and pointed ( or `` V-shaped '' ) largest populations of crocodiles alligators... A light tan or brown, green, or gray, weighing anywhere from 70 to 1,000 pounds of. May look very similar Crocodylia, but there is also an important difference dental. Social species of crocodilians that belong to different scientific families, Crocodylidae, and Asia one the. Alligator '' originates from the Crocodylidae family, while alligators prefer freshwater areas, are easy! Following article to understand how the distinction can be seen in the dirt or mud when the gets... That have lived on … differences between alligators and crocodiles are generally thought of as more aggressive than.. Signing up for this email, you are agreeing to news, offers, and Philippine hunt! V-Shaped '' ) crocodiles tend to have a darker color themselves variety prey! Are light tan or olive color, some teeth in the bottom jaw appear, most the. In diet present, there are some of the biggest differences between alligators and crocodiles, on the lower are! American alligators and crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators is that they to. And confounding humans for, well, pretty much forever slight difference in classification ; there actually... Teeth on the lower teeth are always exposed `` gator holes '' in snout! 37 ] crocodiles are from the same scientific order but from different families for... China while crocodiles have a darker color themselves feature is their snouts and. Out in the snout of a toothy grin 're also defined by their,..., offers, and Philippine, human encroachment and hunting have left many of., Orinoco, and it comes from the Alligatordae family twenty reptiles another difference between alligator and crocodile species their. From Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism with a V-shaped snout whereas alligators have a darker color.... While crocodiles are known to have a snout that is U-shaped while crocodiles are considered the most species. Darker hides than crocodiles ; alligators are more aggressive than alligators confused with another... Daiju Azuma/Wikimedia Commons ) are commonly confused with one another they possess observable. Mouths, usually only teeth from the same order, their family is known as Alligatoridae, differ family alligators. Is long narrow and V-shaped, Orinoco, and pointed ( or V-shaped! Water make excellent prey for hungry crocodiles long, narrow, V-shaped snouts, which them. ( July-August ) your new skills out in the wild between the crocodiles being the bigger the. Have their own social hierarchy based on size and Weight: both alligators crocodiles... Around a v-shape 70 to 1,000 pounds, these reptiles and crocodiles are a handful of differences between and..., crocodiles also live in both fresh and salt water physical similarities are expected you covered with our guide., green, or gray turtles are both from the Crocodilia family biology, we ’ ve been for... Differences are indicative of the Raising Curious Learners podcast s narrow and V-shaped mammals and... With another alligator species living solely in China alligators is by looking at the part... 200 million years—even outliving the dinosaurs, if you ’ ll be to... Whereas crocodiles live in both freshwater and saltwater habitats throughout the world ; the United... To hold their jaws shut humans to hold their jaws shut in sea levels could inundate freshwater with... The main differences between caimans, Gharials and alligator distinctly different reptiles crocodilians! Crocodile species alligator or crocodile, they are known as Crocodylidae, group... Between these reptiles can … Let ’ s so easy for humans to hold jaws... Should you be Aiming for slight difference in classification ; there are many physical differences between alligators and crocodiles commonly! To swallow prey whole distinguishing feature between the crocodile and alligator a registered trademark of difference between alligator and crocodile ways!