Crocodile vs Alligator – Difference and Comparison

What is Crocodile?

Crocodiles are big reptiles with thick, scaly skin that defends them from predators and keeps their bodies from drying out. Their scales occur in a variety of colors, including green, black, brown, and grey. This allows them to blend in with their surroundings.

Crocodiles’ eyes and nostrils are located on the top of their heads. This is why they can ambush victims by lying in water with practically their entire body submerged. Crocodiles have a clear eyelid that shields their eyes. As a result, their eyes can be opened in water without injury.

A variety of crocodile species live in the warmer tropical waters of the southern Hemisphere’s wetland environments. Because they are unable to regulate their internal body temperature, they rely heavily on the sun to rewarm their bodies after submerging themselves in water to chill them.

Crocodiles are also incredibly social creatures. They enjoy feeding in large groups. They are equally territorial and use roaring to keep intruders out of their domain.

Crocodiles consume meat. They have powerful jaws and fangs that can tear prey apart. Crocodile digestion is quite sluggish. They frequently float in water for an extended period of time after eating.

It weighs an average of eight hundred to one thousand plus pounds.

What is Alligator?

An alligator is a big, subaqueous reptile that looks like a crocodile but has a shorter and wider head.

They are considered to be members of the crocodilian family. Alligators have a body that is ‘armored.’ Their tail is quite long and muscular. They have four short legs with five toes on the front and four toes on the back.

The snout of an alligator is rounded and extended, with nostrils that tip upwards at the end. This allows them to breathe even if the rest of their body is submerged. Allegator babies frequently have yellow lines on their tails, whereas adults have dark lines on their tails.

It weighs an average of five hundred to one thousand pounds.

Difference Between Crocodile and Alligator

1. Crocodiles are three times the size of alligators. A crocodile can grow to be about 17 feet long, while an alligator can grow to be 14 feet long.
2. Crocodiles have snot that is triangular in shape. The snot of an alligator is rounded.
3. Crocodiles have pointed teeth. Their teeth are meant to tear up flesh Alligators have cone-shaped teeth. Their teeth can’t tear flesh like the crocodiles but they can crush prey.
4. Crocodiles are more aggressive. They attack with or without cause, especially when they are hungry. Every year, several hundreds of people reportedly die from crocodile attacks. Alligators are shy creatures that will only attack if they are disturbed or threatened. They are less prone to attack humans.
5. Alligators outrun crocodiles in speed. They can reach speeds of up to 30 miles per hour, whereas crocs can only reach speed of 20 miles per hour.

Comparison Between Crocodile and Alligator