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