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Crocodile Vs Crocodile: 7 differences
We all wonder what makes alligators and alligators different, because let's face it, to the average person, they look quite similar.
But if you know what you're looking for, you'll be able to tell them apart right away!
Here are 7 main differences between the crocodile and the alligator, along with some interesting facts about these two fish species!
There are three groups or families of crocodiles: the crocodile family, which includes the king crocodile and the crocodile;
Among these three families are 23 different species, having existed for more than 240 million years - making them 65 million years older than dinosaurs!
These scaly beats are actually some of the most well-designed essence, predator-killing machines.
A design that has been refined and shaped through development over a very long time.
They have perfectly positioned eyes so that they can be seen when their heads rise above the water, they also have pretty great night vision.
And don't be fooled by the fact that you can't see their ears, their hearing is so sharp they can hear you calling them from within their eggs.
Their jaws can create more pressure than any other living animal, and even more so than the T-Rex that some experts say!
Like a shark, a crocodile that never runs out of teeth, sharp new ones always sprout as old dull ones fall out, most of the time getting lost in a lovely piece of alligator.
But do not be fooled, these teeth are not for cutting, just for clamping, as all crocodiles swallow their food into large chunks or just whole.
As you can imagine, there are many differences between the three crocodile families, especially between the crocodile and the queen.
Difference # 1 - The look of how they sleep
Okay, let's start with the most obvious difference: the shape of the snout.
Follow the general rule of thumb;
The crocodile's wide snout is designed to increase strength, able to withstand the stress caused by the bones due to the enormous pressure used to break the shells of turtles and other hard-shelled creatures that are a
The crocodile's pointed snout is not quite as strong as the crocodile, but it can still withstand the great pressure that crocodile causes after its bite.
However, the crocodile's jaw is often considered a more general set of jaws - ideal for the various types of prey that make up its diet.
There are exceptions to this rule, however - an example of that is the Indian Mugger Crocodile, which has a shorter, wider jaw no different than a crocodile, but certainly fits all feces.
Difference # 2 - That Toothy Grin (or Missing)
Another notable difference between the crocodile and the king crocodile is the visibility of the teeth in the lower jaw.
The crocodile's upper jaw is wider than its lower jaw, meaning that the teeth in the lower jaw are almost completely obscured when its mouth is closed.
This is because the crocodile's upper jaw has small cavities on the inside that the teeth will get in when the mouth is closed.
However, the crocodile's jaws are nearly equal in width.
The crocodile's large fourth tooth in the lower jaw is always visible when the mouth is closed.
In fact, there's a well-defined void in the upper jaw, behind the nostril, so that this lower fourth tooth can be plugged in, making it always visible.
On top of that, if you look closely enough, you can see that the crocodile's teeth appear more rounded, while the crocodile's teeth tend to be more pointed.
But let's hope you're never too close to really notice it!
Difference # 3 - DPRs
If you look at the crocodile or alligator's head, especially the jaw and nose, you will see lots of small, black spots, like an unshaven beard.
These tiny dots, called the Skin Pressure Receiver (or DPR) Agency, are capable of detecting small pressure changes in the water to help them locate and capture prey.
Although both the crocodile and the king crocodile have them covering the face, crocodiles have similar organs that cover the skin over the entire body, while the crocodile does not.
Although the role of DPR in crocodile skin is currently unknown, scientists believe that they can extend sensory surfaces throughout the crocodile's body.
No matter what they are used for, they are a great and easy way to distinguish crocodile skin from alligator skin!
Difference # 4 - Habitat
Alligators are not salt tolerant in the way crocodiles can.
Because of this, alligators generally prefer freshwater habitats, while freshwater crocodiles tend to prefer salty habitats.
However, it has been known for the large crocodiles that sometimes wonder at the estuaries, and rarely the coast.
The spread of alligators worldwide is also more limited than that of alligators.
Crocodiles only reside naturally in the US and India, while crocodiles reside naturally in many parts of the world.
Difference # 5 - Skin Color
One thing is quite simple - the skin of an adult alligator is usually darker gray, but the skin of an adult alligator is usually lighter brown / brown.
This is usually due to the type of habitat that the crocodile and the crocodile inhabit.
Crocodiles tend to live in darker waters, such as swamps or slow-flowing rivers.
However, alligators tend to live in brighter colored waters, making lighter skin tones more suitable for camouflage.
A little note: baby alligators can be more showy, sometimes with white or yellow highlights on their black body.
Difference # 6 - Linguistic salty lands
I think this is one of the most interesting, and definitely one of my favorites.
Crocodiles have active salt glands on their tongue, which, although not clearly noticeable, can be seen when crocodiles are sun-dried in water with their mouth open.
Now, these are just modified salivary glands that allow crocodiles to excrete large amounts of salt from their surroundings, such as the water they contain.
This means that crocodiles are more tolerant of saltwater than crocodiles, such as tidal estuaries, coastlines and even seawater in some species!
Now this is something crocodiles have lost the ability to do at some point, so most crocodiles choose to stay in freshwater habitats such as swamps, lakes or streams.
But, and here's the really interesting part, which shows that the crocodile has quite an ancient marine history.
In short, they were most likely capable of living in the ocean waters for a long time, or even permanently, migrating around the world across the seas - all of which is definitely the cause.
Difference # 7 - Stand by their man
A recent study in a wildlife hideout found that up to 70% of alligators mate with the same male year after year.
Although many male alligators compete in the field, many female crocodiles have been found to have mating behavior similar to that of some birds choosing a mate.
However, this behavior is not demonstrated in alligators, as studies of alligators and their offspring have shown that some litters of alligators may contain genes from several different males.
So you have it, some interesting facts to differentiate alligators from crocodiles.
If you are unlucky to have an attacker on you, hopefully this article will help you at least identify your attacker!
