Crocodiles vs Alligators: The Major Differences.

SNOUT

V-shaped snout of a crocodile(left) and U-shaped snout of an alligator(right).

Crocodiles have long, pointed and V-shaped snouts, while alligators have broad, short, rounded and U-shaped snouts.

JAW

A crocodile(top) and an alligator(bottom).

Crocodiles have both upper and lower jaws of the same size and because of this, teeth from both of the jaws are visible when their mouth is closed.

The upper jaw of alligators is a little bit wider than the lower jaw. This is why the teeth from the lower jaw are not visible when their mouth is closed.

SIZE

Crocodiles are bigger and heavier than alligators. Average-sized male crocodiles reach 17 feet in length and weigh over 1,000 pounds. Dwarf crocodiles are an exception, as they measure only 5 ft in length and have a weight of 18-32 kg. However, the largest recorded length for them is 6.2 ft. The largest females and males weigh up to 40 kg and 80 kg, respectively.

Saltwater crocodiles are the biggest species. The biggest male saltwater crocodiles can reach a length of nearly 23 feet and weigh over 2000 pounds. Large female saltwater crocodiles are much smaller than males, measuring 10-11 feet and reaching a maximum weight of 440 pounds.

Alligators are smaller and lighter and just like crocodiles, males are bigger and heavier than females. The average size for a female alligator is around 8 feet, and for a male alligator is around 11-13 ft. The exceptionally large alligators can weigh around 1000 pounds. There has also been a report of an alligator measuring 19 feet and 2 inches. Edward McIlhenny claimed to have killed the creature in 1890 using a shotgun when he was just 17 years old. The facts of this incident are still in dispute as there is not enough evidence to support McIlhenny's claim.

COLOUR

Crocodiles are lighter, olive green or brown in colour, while alligators are darker, blackish-grey in colour.

HABITAT

Crocodiles are found in both freshwater and brackish water(salinity level between freshwater and saltwater). Saltwater crocodiles can also be found in saltwater but are generally found in brackish waters. The ability of crocodiles to live in brackish or saltwater comes from their salt expelling glands called lingual salt glands. The lingual salt glands are present on the tongues of crocodiles.

Alligators prefer to live in freshwater. Like crocodiles, alligators also have lingual salt glands on their tongue but these glands are not very effective in expelling salt out of the body. This limits the salt tolerance ability of alligators which is why they can live in saline waters for just a few hours and at most for a few days.

These were the major differences between crocodiles and alligators that can be used to identify them but there are also some other differences between them which are as follows:

LIFESPAN

Crocodiles can live up to 70, years but some sources also suggest that these creatures can live up to 100 years.

Alligators can live up to 50 years.

BITE FORCE

Saltwater crocodiles have a bite force of 3,700 PSI while alligators have a bite force of 2,980 PSI.

LIMBS

An image showing the humerus(8) and femur(10) of crocodiles.

According to a recent study, crocodiles have longer humeri in their forelimbs and longer femurs in their hindlimbs as compared to alligators.

AGGRESSIVENESS

Crocodiles are much more aggressive than alligators.