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There Are Many Differences Between Alligators And Crocs – But Only One Can Stick Its Tongue Out

Welcome to the wonderful world of Crocodylia, or more specifically the order. Here, we’ll break down the differences between alligators and crocodiles, beyond which one will be seeing you later and which one will be seeing you in a while. 

Let’s start with a little background on crocodiles

Crocodiles have a pretty wide distribution: the 14 species belonging to the Crocodylidae family are found across Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. There is even a species in Cuba

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Crocodile species pretty much only eat meat, and use their enormous jaws and incredibly powerful bite force to clamp onto their prey. They are pretty good at swallowing even large meals whole.

Take a look at the toes…

Image Credit: Photoongraphy/Shutterstock

Moving onto alligators

Unlike crocodiles, alligators are one of only two “true alligator” species in the Alligatoridae family – the American alligator and the Chinese alligator – which also contains the subfamily Caimaninae or the caimans. 

Like the crocodile, they are both carnivores and live at the edge of water bodies such as lakes and swamps. American alligators live around 50 years in the wild, while reports suggest they can make it to 70 in captivity. Crocodiles, on the other hand, live longer and some even make it to 123.

If you’re close enough to think about snout shape, you’re too close.

Image credit: Natoe/Shutterstock

Physical differences

Physically, there are many differences between all the species, but comparing a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) to an American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) reveals some easy-to-spot ones. 

Differences you can’t see

So now you know the differences between these species, we just don’t recommend getting close enough to any of them to actually test it out. Plus, if you love knowing the difference between oft-confused species, check out llamas and crows

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