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Alligator Crocodile
Behaviour:Less aggressiveMore aggressive
Family:AlligatoridaeCrocodylidae
Shape of jaw:Wide "U"-shaped rounded snoutLonger and more pointed "V"-shaped noses
Placement of teeth:Upper jaw wider than the lower jawUpper and lower jaw of approximately the same width
Lingual salt glands:Non- functioningFunctioning

Alligators and crocodiles belong to two separate families of crocodilians. Alligators belong to the ‘alligatoridae’ family whereas crocodiles belong to the ‘crocodylidae’ family. They can also be distinguished by their external features. Alligators have a wide "U"-shaped, rounded snout (like a shovel), whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more pointed "V"-shaped noses.

In alligators, the upper jaw is wider than the lower jaw and completely overlaps it. Therefore, the teeth in the lower jaw are almost completely hidden when the mouth closes, fitting neatly into small depressions or sockets in the upper jaw. However, in crocodiles, the upper jaw and lower jaw are approximately the same width, and so teeth in the lower jaw fit along the margin of the upper jaw when the mouth is closed. Therefore, the upper teeth interlock (and "interdigitate") with the lower teeth when the mouth shuts.

Crocodiles also differ from alligators in having functioning salt glands on their tongue. This makes crocodiles more tolerant to life in saline water. While alligators also have these structures, they appear to have lost the ability to use them for excreting significant amounts of salt and hence preferring to stay in freshwater areas.

Differences in behaviour are also apparent. Most people regard crocodiles as more aggressive than alligators, and this is true of some species.

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Comments on Alligator vs. Crocodile
If you want to get more information on and to see an Alligator and Crocodile side by side in a picture go to http://www.anphog.org/gc/
- by 205.188.117.139 on 2008-11-28 10:54:42