Alligators and crocodiles are both large reptiles that live in freshwater environments. In general alligators are found in the United States and east China while crocodiles are found in Africa Australia and south Asia. Here are some other key differences:
Alligators have a wider U-shaped snout while crocodiles have a narrower V-shaped snout.
Alligators can live up to 50 years in the wild while crocodiles can live up to 70 years.
Crocodiles are generally more aggressive than alligators.
Crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet (6 meters) in length while alligators only grow up to about 18 feet (5.5 meters).
So which is bigger? It depends on the species. The largest alligator species is the American alligator which can grow up to 15 feet (4.6 meters) in length and weigh up to 1360 pounds (617 kilograms). The largest crocodile species is the saltwater crocodile which can grow up to 23 feet (7 meters) in length and weigh up to 3200 pounds (1454 kilograms).
What is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?
Alligators and crocodiles are both reptiles but they belong to different families.
Alligators are apart of the Alligatoridae family while crocodiles are apart of the Crocodylidae family.
Where do alligators and crocodiles live?
Alligators are found in the southeastern United States while crocodiles are found throughout the tropics in Africa Asia the Americas and Australia.
What is the average lifespan of an alligator?
The average lifespan of an alligator is 50 years.
How big do alligators get?
Male alligators can grow up to 15 feet while females can grow up to 10 feet.
How much do alligators weigh?
Male alligators can weigh up to 1000 pounds while females can weigh up to 500 pounds.
What do alligators eat?
Alligators are carnivores and they will eat just about anything they can catch.
This includes fish birds turtles mammals and even other alligators.
How do alligators hunt?
Alligators are ambush predators which means they will lay in wait for their prey to come close before attacking.
What is the average lifespan of a crocodile?
The average lifespan of a crocodile is 70-100 years.
How big do crocodiles get?
Male crocodiles can grow up to 20 feet while females can grow up to 15 feet.
How much do crocodiles weigh?
Male crocodiles can weigh up to 2000 pounds while females can weigh up to 1000 pounds.
What do crocodiles eat?
Crocodiles are carnivores and they will eat just about anything they can catch.
This includes fish birds turtles mammals and even other crocodiles.
How do crocodiles hunt?
Crocodiles are ambush predators which means they will lay in wait for their prey to come close before attacking.
Which reptile is more dangerous an alligator or a crocodile?
Both alligators and crocodiles can be dangerous to humans but crocodiles tend to be more aggressive and thus more dangerous.
Do alligators or crocodiles have more teeth?
Crocodiles have more teeth than alligators.
Crocodiles have about 80 teeth in their mouths at any given time while alligators have about 50.
Can alligators and crocodiles interbreed?
Yes alligators and crocodiles can interbreed.
The resulting offspring is called a crocogator.
