Croc or Gator?
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This week, I'll take you to the zoo and list some top10 difference between a Crocodile and an Alligator. Believe me, most people actually mistake one for the other.
Alligators and crocodiles both belong to an order of the reptile class known as crocodylia. The other members of the order are the Caimans and Gharials (or Gavials). Crocodilians resemble each other a lot and it is quite difficult for a lay man to tell the difference especially between an alligator and a crocodile. The difficulty in spotting the difference is enhanced by the wildness and scarceness of these animals since they are not as common and domestic as poultry birds where one can pick up one and immediately tell whether it is a male or a female. The following are the top ten differences between an alligator and a crocodile in decreasing order from the most evident to the least evident.
(1) Snout
Crocodiles usually have longer, more pointed snouts (or head) than alligators.
Alligators’ snouts are wider, rounder (U-shaped) and suitable for preying on large animals like birds and mammals
(2) Teeth
Crocodiles seem to be smiling when they close their mouth because part of their lower teeth stick out from each side and fit into a notch on the outside of the upper jaw. Alligators’ teeth cannot be seen when their mouth are closed.
(3) Complexion
Alligators have darker appearance than crocodiles. Though they both have bumpy skin, but alligators tend to be darker in colour. Adult alligators are greyish black while adult crocodiles are light tan to brown in colour. Young alligators can be more colourful with yellow or white highlights on a black body.
so now, which is which from the picture above?
(4) Size
Crocodiles are relatively larger than alligators. The smaller of the two species of alligator for example is the Chinese alligator with a length of about 6.6ft weighing 50Ib. the larger alligator (American alligator) is 20ft long and weighs 550Ib. the largest crocodile is the saltwater crocodile, it weighs 22200Ib and measures 23ft in length. The smallest crocodile – the African dwarf crocodile is just about the same size as the Chinese alligator.
(5) Aggressiveness
Crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators. This may be due to their relatively larger size and number species. However, both crocodilians share the same diet which includes: fish, birds, turtles, frogs, mammals and sometimes man.
(6) Habitat
Alligators are freshwater animals; they are found in lakes, and rivers. Crocodiles on the other hand live in shallow bodies of water including swamps, marshes and lakes.
(7) Abundance
Alligators are less likely to be found these days than crocodiles. There are just two species of alligator: American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) and Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) and are found mostly in the southeastern United States and China. Crocodiles on the other hand constitute about thirteen (13) species and are widespread in Central and South America, Africa, southern Asia and Australia.
(8) Offspring
Crocodiles produce larger amount of offspring than alligators. Female crocodiles lay up to 90 eggs, bury them and remain with the eggs until they are hatched. Female alligators on the other hand lay only 30 to 40 eggs and are incubated in the sun (not buried). So the probability of hatching is less, since the eggs are exposed to thieves.
(9) Life Span
Crocodiles live longer than alligators. Alligators live up to 50 years, whereas crocodiles can live for over 65 years.
(10) Conservation
Both alligators and crocodiles are protected by state and federal laws. Alligators have been listed as endangered species due to habitat destruction, hunting and capturing. Crocodiles were initially also marked as endangered. However, in 2007, the US fish and wildlife service reclassified the crocodiles as threatened rather than endangered.
Now you should be able to differentiate between a croc and a gator. Try label the blocks in the pics below as croc or gator
you may also add any other difference you know of
That's all for this week
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