Alligators and Crocodiles

A detailed Summary of Alligators and Crocodiles


Crocodiles and alligators are two reptiles that are often mistaken for each other. One of the most common questions alligator and crocodile researchers face today is what the differences are between the two. Although these reptiles favor in physical features, there are numerous differences.

The first three differences between the alligator and crocodile are not in physical appearance. These differences are in their subfamilies, number of species, and the origination of their names. Although the alligator and crocodile are both reptiles, the alligator belongs to the alligatorinae subfamily and the crocodile to the crocodylinae subfamily. The alligator and crocodile also differ in their number of species. The alligator has only two different species while the crocodile has twenty- three. The originat


Another difference in the alligator and crocodile are their geographic locations. Alligators are only found in America, except for a small part of China known as the Yangtze River Valley. The crocodile on the other hand can be found in Africa, Southeast Asia, New Guinea, Australia, and a small part of America.

Other differences between the crocodile and alligator are salt glands, sensory pits, and their skin. Functioning salt glands on the tongue are only found on crocodiles. The alligator lacks these salt glands along with small, sensory pits covering the entire body surface of the crocodile. The skin of the crocodile also has a small spot or dimple close to the edge. This feature is not present on the alligator.

The alligator and crocodile are different in size and snout shape. The average crocodile tends to grow eighteen to nineteen fee

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Approximate Word count = 577
Approximate Pages = 2 (250 words per page double spaced)

Category: Science

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