Alligator And Crocodile Compare And Contrast
Alligators and crocodiles do look similar but there are several physical characteristics that differentiate the two giant reptiles.
Scientists separate alligators, crocodiles, and their cousins, caimans and gharials, according to differences in their skulls, scales, and teeth. The most easily observed difference between alligators and crocodiles is the shape of the head. The crocodile's skull and jaws are longer and narrower than the alligator's.
The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, resides primarily in the rivers and wetlands in the southeastern region of North Carolina, but can also be found as far north as the Albemarle Sound. Coastal North Carolina is the northern most range for the American alligator. In both alligators and crocodiles, the fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw is exceptionally long. When an alligator closes its mouth, those long teeth slip into …show more content…
Numerous as they are, crocodilian teeth serve only for grasping, not chewing. These animals gulp their food in large chunks and rely on powerful stomach acids to break it down. Alligators and crocodiles both have thick, bumpy skin but alligators tend to be darker in color. Adult alligators are grayish black while adult crocodiles are light tan to brown in color. Young alligators can be more colorful with yellow or white highlights on a black body. Another difference between crocodiles and alligators is their choice of homes. Alligators are freshwater reptiles, favoring the rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the coast. On the other hand, crocodiles prefer coastal, brackish, or salt water habitats.
Crocodilians belong to the subclass Archosauria ("ruling reptiles"), which dates back over 180 million years and includes the vanished dinosaurs. As far as we know, crocodilians are the only true archosaurs remaining alive
Scientists separate alligators, crocodiles, and their cousins, caimans and gharials, according to differences in their skulls, scales, and teeth. The most easily observed difference between alligators and crocodiles is the shape of the head. The crocodile's skull and jaws are longer and narrower than the alligator's.
The American alligator, Alligator mississippiensis, resides primarily in the rivers and wetlands in the southeastern region of North Carolina, but can also be found as far north as the Albemarle Sound. Coastal North Carolina is the northern most range for the American alligator. In both alligators and crocodiles, the fourth tooth on either side of the lower jaw is exceptionally long. When an alligator closes its mouth, those long teeth slip into …show more content…
Numerous as they are, crocodilian teeth serve only for grasping, not chewing. These animals gulp their food in large chunks and rely on powerful stomach acids to break it down. Alligators and crocodiles both have thick, bumpy skin but alligators tend to be darker in color. Adult alligators are grayish black while adult crocodiles are light tan to brown in color. Young alligators can be more colorful with yellow or white highlights on a black body. Another difference between crocodiles and alligators is their choice of homes. Alligators are freshwater reptiles, favoring the rivers, lakes, swamps, and marshes of the coast. On the other hand, crocodiles prefer coastal, brackish, or salt water habitats.
Crocodilians belong to the subclass Archosauria ("ruling reptiles"), which dates back over 180 million years and includes the vanished dinosaurs. As far as we know, crocodilians are the only true archosaurs remaining alive