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Alligator VS Crocodile: What are the Obvious Differences?

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Swamp Fever
Alligator VS Crocodile: What are the Obvious Differences?

To many people, alligators and crocodiles are one and the same. They’ll see one in a zoo or on TV and see the same reptile. But that’s far from the truth. These two animals do share a striking similarity. It's not surprising as their DNA is 93% identical. Despite the close genetic association, the two animals are as different as night and day. There are even distinct markers to identify one over the other. We’re here to help you distinguish between an alligator vs crocodile.


Is an alligator a reptile? That’s one of the most common questions asked about alligators. Yes, they are reptiles. So are crocodiles. Both of them are vertebrates and are cold-blooded. They also have sales on their bodies. These provide them with protection against the elements and predators. Taxonomy-wise, gators, and crocs belong to the Crocodilia order. This is then composed of three families. These are the Alligatoridae, the Crocodylidea, and the Gavialidae. Gators belong to the first.


One easy way to distinguish an alligator from a crocodile is to look at the size. How big can alligators get? The American crocodile can reach anywhere from 15 to 17 feet in length. Their greatest size falls at around 20 feet. They can also weigh an astounding 800 to 1,000 pounds. Chinese alligators are much smaller though. They often grow to about five feet. They can reach seven feet at the most. That’s peanuts compared to crocodiles. The saltwater crocodile is massive and grows to 23 feet.


Color is another surprising way to separate an alligator from a crocodile. Crocs are often black or brown. They also come in shades of green and gray. Their skin also has speckles or is sometimes mottled. This allows them to blend in well with the substrate and algae.


Crocodiles found in the US are often gray with a white or yellow belly. This contrast of colors is also called countershading. It helps them blend in the river or lake while hunting.


American alligators have darker hues. They’re dark green to almost black. This coloration is great camouflage. These animals live on riverbanks and along lakes. So their dark coloring helps them blend with the mud.

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