Another notable difference between crocodiles and alligators is the visibility of the teeth on the bottom jaw. This species is known in china and the united states. Apr 25, 2020 alligators and crocodiles are also slightly different colors. Firstly, it is worth noting that the term crocodilians. The easiest way of telling apart crocodiles from alligators, however, is to look at their noses. The members of this group are alike in that they all have short legs, clawed feet, powerful tails and tough skin for protection. For alligators, the upper jaw is wider than the lower one, so when they close their mouths, all their teeth are hidden. How to tell the difference between alligators and crocodiles. The 8 main differences between alligators and crocodiles. In contrast, crocodiles have narrower, vshaped snouts. This exciting and informative book investigates every aspect of their lifestyles, and the differences between alligators, crocodiles, caimans and gharials. Both are part of the crocodilia order, along with caimans and gharials, which also share a superficial resemblance. Caiman and alligator belong to the genus alligator and species alligator mississippiensis. Alligators usually have a darker, almost black appearance.
Is there a difference between alligators and crocodiles. An alligators upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw, meaning that teeth on its lower jaw are almost completely hidden when its mouth is closed. The crocodile s skull and jaws are longer and narrower than the alligator s. What are the differences between alligators and sharks answers. Unlike the alligator, though, caimans do not have a septum. If youre looking for a bit more textual meat with your basic facts, you might be disappointed. The black caiman melanosuchus niger is a species of large crocodilian and, along with the american alligator, is one of the biggest extant members of the. Dec 01, 2014 while crocodiles have longer vshaped jaws. Scientists separate alligators, crocodiles, and their cousins, caimans and gharials, according to differences in their skulls, scales, and teeth. Aligatoridae include alligators and caimans, crocodylidae include crocodiles and gavialidae include only the gharial. Many people are unaware that theres a difference between alligators and crocodiles and use both terms interchangeably to describe any large waterdwelling lizard with big teeth.
What is the difference between alligator, crocodile, and. Alligators and caimans belong to the same family, alligatoridae, whereas crocodiles belong to a different family, crocodylidae. Also, there are fewer alligators in the world in ratio to other croc species. Alligators are smaller than crocs, and darker in colour. While alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gavials all belong to the class or reptilia as well as the crocodilia order, there are still numerous differences between each one of these creatures. This comprehensive survey of crocodiles, alligators, and caimans provides a captivating introduction to what is known about crocodilians. Difference between alligator, crocodile, and caiman skins. Though several of their ancestors were more monstrous than their current forms, about half of the planets 23 living species. Costa rica crocodiles and caimans the monsters of the rich. I also think there may be a difference in where you would typically find one probably more indian ocean or rainforesttype areas. I have loved alligators and crocodiles for as long as i can rememeber. Caimans and alligators are smaller than crocodile but can still grow a fair size.
Their behavior is also starkly different, with crocs being more aggressive than gators. The majority of the book describes similarities between alligators and crocodiles. Crocodile and alligator differences animal facts for kids. Dec 14, 2017 difference between crocodile and alligator comparison between crocodile and alligator this a fight to a better predator differences are based on the snout, teeth, habitat,mating, behavior, sizes etc. A book about alligators and crocodiles by melvin a. Kent vliet hosts a question and answer forum on american alligators for the discovery channels wild discovery feature. All three are reptiles and of the order crocodylia. So, what are the differences between caimans, alligators, and crocodiles. Alligators and caimans both have a rounded, ushaped snout and tend to have an overbite, while crocodiles have a vshaped snout and no overbite. It may be hard to tell the difference right off the bat from crocodile, especially if you dont have a trained eye, but placing a crocodile bag next to an alligator in the same design often has the consumer leaning towards the alligator because of the said differences. Due to the differences, males have a stronger bite force and likely exploit a different, and larger, prey base than. Difference between caiman and alligator samsung galaxy blog.
Crocodilians are a reptile group made up of crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials. Snakes, alligators, caimans, crocodiles, many species of monitors, many juvenile aquatic turtles, and many lizards are carnivores. The snout is the biggest difference with the crocodile and the alligator. A newly discovered difference between alligators and crocodiles. See more ideas about crocodiles, reptiles and crocodile. Whats the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Alligator animals for kids all things animal tv youtube. Crocodiles and alligators are both of the order crocodilia as are caimans and gharials, but they separate when you get down to superfamily and family, and there are very distinct differences.
Whats the difference between alligators and crocodiles. As a child, i drove my parents crazy with requests for our family to move to miami where i could be near the alligators. But the families they belong to, alligatoridae and crocodylidae respectively, differ. A newly discovered difference between alligators and. This is illustrated in the diagram to the left c alligator, d crocodile. Alligators and caimans have a wide ushaped, rounded snout like a shovel, whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more pointed vshaped noses. There is the american alligator and the chinese alligator. May 06, 2018 in contrast to alligators and caimans, when true crocodiles close their jaws the enlarged 4th tooth on the lower jaw rests in that notch, and its tip is clearly visible. Difference between crocodile and alligator comparison between crocodile and alligator this a fight to a better predator differences are based on.
Lets start by discussing observable characteristics about the alligator. While you may have to look hard to distinguish between alligator and nile crocodile, caiman skin is very noticeable. Caimans tend to be more agile and crocodilelike in their movements, and have longer, sharper teeth than alligators. Difference between alligators and crocodiles size taking all species into account, the difference between alligators and crocodiles size is small and hard to gauge. Crocodiles, gavials, caimans, and alligators scovill zoo. Many people have a hard time telling the difference between alligators and crocodiles.
Sometimes telling the difference between a caiman, an alligator and a crocodile can be difficult. Presents information about crocodiles and alligators in a question and answer format, describing the differences between them, their physical characteristics, habitats, hunting methods, and eating. What in the world is a caiman, and how does it relate to. These two types of reptiles are found in different parts of the world, and have unique physical distinctions, including different shaped snouts. The florida everglades is the only place on earth in which both alligators and crocodiles coexist. Alligators possess a broad ushaped snout and have an overbite. This book provides wonderful drawings and a short summary of twentyone different crocodilians, so that the readers may note. The muscles that close the jaws are much more massive and powerful than the ones that open them, 12 and a crocodilians jaws can be held shut by a person fairly easily. Neither is a caiman an alligator nor are the two crocodiles. The easiest way to distinguish the three species apart is by observing their snout, however, i dont recommend getting too close. Those of alligators are wider and shorter, and crocodiles top.
The most easily observed difference between alligators and crocodiles is the shape of the head. Crocodiles tend to live in saltwater habitats, while alligators. What they dont realize is that, despite some similarities, the two reptiles dont look or behave the same. Sep 15, 2012 for alligators, the upper jaw is wider than the lower one, so when they close their mouths, all their teeth are hidden. Crocodiles may have either broad or slender snouts, while alligators and caimans have mostly broad ones. Alligators are related in the same family as the crocodile, but these two animals are very different. Alligators and crocodiles by gail gibbons 2010 description.
Because they are smaller animals, the tiles sometimes incorrectly called scales are about onehalf inch 1. More information on the different species is available on the internet and various books section 9. One of the most commonly asked questions is what is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. There are 23 widely recognized species of crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials, all members of the order crocodylia. The most obvious difference comes from their appearances. Crocodiles and alligators are also found in different locations around the globe. Apr, 2020 alligator, either of two crocodilians related to the tropical american caimans. Often, when people use the word crocodile what they really mean is crocodilian. Superficially they resemble reptiles, yet their closest cousins are birds and extinct dinosauria, a group known as archosaurs ruling reptiles.
Another difference between these reptiles is the collective nouns we humans use while talking about each group of animals. Caimans do not get as big as alligator or crocodile either. Mar 12, 2018 a newly discovered difference between alligators and crocodiles. Consequently alligators and caimans have more similarities to each other than either does to the crocodiles. Considering their smaller size, caimans are more agile than crocodiles. What is the difference between alligators and crocodiles.
Difference between crocodile and alligator alligator vs. Jan 14, 2017 neither is a caiman an alligator nor are the two crocodiles. Crocodiles and gharials also differ from alligators and caimans in having functioning salt glands on their tongue. Crocodiles hunt larger prey, such as sharks and large mammals such as buffaloes, apes, and even humans. So, the first difference is that alligators and crocodiles are actually in different families. Crocodiles tend to have a lighter appearance than alligators. Alligator, either of two crocodilians related to the tropical american caimans.
Do you know the difference between alligators and crocodiles. Faq whats the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. This is certainly the case in south florida, where gauging the length or mass of a crocodilian wont do much to aid in identification. What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. Both alligators and crocodiles are members of the reptilian order crocodylia. Crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gavials all belong to the same order of reptiles, the crocodilia there are around 23 species of living crocodilians in the world today depending on what herpetologist you talk to that are divided into 3 families.
May 09, 2007 caimans are extremely similar to alligators but lack the bony septum in between the nostrils and their armor plating is situated differently. Crocodiles, caiman, gavials, and alligators can be found in warm to tropical climates. Alligators and caimans have a wide ushaped, rounded snout like a shovel, whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more. When crocodiles close their mouths, both upper and lower teeth are visible. Explore our editors picks for the best kids books of the month.
Let us first list the differences between crocodiles and the family of caiman and alligator. See more ideas about crocodiles, reptiles and amphibians and animals. Alligators have shorter, wider heads that are more ushaped than crocodiles. Costa rica crocodiles and caimans the monsters of the. Differences between a caiman, crocodile and an alligator. Now you can tell your friends, that you know the difference between a gator and a croc. Alligator vs crocodile differences explained with videos. Structurally, these are actually modified salivary glands, and while alligators and caimans also have these structures they appear to have lost the ability to use them for excreting significant amounts of salt. If you need a straightforward, 400ish lexile nonfiction text on the differences between crocodiles and alligators, then snap. Kakadu the article monster crocs, written by adam britton for pbs online, discusses the crocodiles of kakadu national park and the changing conservation challenges that have been faced. The book begins by playing on our fear of alligators and crocodiles, describing one of these giant reptiles gliding through the water, slowly appearing above the surface. Those differences are enough to put them all into different families when it comes to the scientific categorization.
There are 14 species of true crocodiles, in three genera. Crocodiles in the wild are found all over the world while alligators are only found in the us and china. Crocodiles exist both in freshwater and saltwater, whereas alligators prefer freshwater environments. What in the world is a caiman, and how does it relate to an. Difference between alligator, crocodile, and caiman skins for. Caimans and alligators both have wide, ushaped snouts. So it makes sense to regard crocodilians that is, the group of living alligators, crocodiles, caimans, gharials, and so on with suspicion. Jan 01, 2001 this photographic nonfiction book gives many examples of the similarities and differences between alligators and crocodiles. The american alligator is part of this order of reptiles. Whats the difference between a caiman, an alligator and a. They differ from crocodiles physically in that they have a shorter and wider snout. While they are similar there are significant differences among them. Whats the difference between a crocodile, alligator and a. Caimans are extremely similar to alligators but lack the bony septum in between the nostrils and their armor plating is situated differently.
Crocodilians crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials. Crocodiles are often mistaken for alligators and caimans. Other differences include the shape of their jaws and hind legs. Crocodiles have long and pointed, vshaped snouts while alligators have rounded, ushaped snouts. While they look similar to the untrained eye, crocodiles and alligators do have distinct differences. Thats right, if you spot one caiman, there is a very good chance there are several others around youthat you may not see. Crocodilealligatorcaiman crocodile facts and information. Crocodiles and alligators of the world of the world. The typical crocodile tends to have a coloration that is an olive brown hue. It is also possible for you to spot the caiman crocodilus, or the spectacled caiman. Now i know that a crocodile s head is more narrow and its snout is more pointed that an alligator s.
Of these, the american alligator is available in the pet trade in certain us states, and may be available in. Several websites are currently selling products made from lower quality caiman leather and passing this cheaper inferior product off to you, the consumer, as classic alligator alligator mississippiensis or crocodile. What is the difference between crocodiles, alligators and. This is a major distinction between true crocodiles and alligators and caimans. There is no such critter as a caimancrocodile, or caiman alligator. Differentiating between alligators, crocodiles and caiman. If only the top row of teeth are visible, mouth closed, its an alligator. The story begins by discussing some of the characteristics such as the bumpy texture of its skin.
Aug 29, 2016 alligators and caimans both have a rounded, ushaped snout and tend to have an overbite, while crocodiles have a vshaped snout and no overbite. Alligators strongly favor freshwater while some species of crocodile live in seawater. What are the differences between alligators and sharks. Additionally, their snouts tend to be the stubbiest of all. Of these, the american alligator is available in the pet trade in certain us states, and may be available.
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