#Alligator hides skin#

The countershading is a unique type of camouflage that helps the creature blend in with the water to prey below.

Mottled or speckled coloration is standard for camouflage.Īmerican crocodiles typically have a slate-colored body with yellow or white bellies. Most are usually olive green, tan, or light gray. The exact color will depend on where the reptile lives. Generally, crocodiles have a lighter and more varied tone.

#Alligator hides skin#

However, paying attention to both the shade of their skin and its distinct patterns can help you learn more about what it is. After all, these semi-aquatic animals have pretty similar color patterns. Color & PatternĬoloration isn’t something many pay attention to closely when it comes to differences between crocodiles and alligators. Crocs are more aggressive in their hunting tactics, preferring to rip and shred rather than crush (more on this later). The V-shaped snout is perfect for thrashing and physical destruction as far as hunting goes. The snout is V-shaped, creating a more linear-looking silhouette. It starts broad but tapers down to a narrow tip. Take a look from above or below, and you’ll see that it’s more pointed. But they are a little different in shape. They’re a bit more methodical in their hunting approach, which the broad snout allows.Ĭrocodiles have robust jaws and capable snouts, too. Tough targets like turtles are no match for the alligator! They can destroy the shell in one swift bite. Zoologists believe that the broader shape facilitates their preference for crushing objects. If you look at it from above, you’ll notice that the snout is U-shaped. It’s relatively wide throughout, creating a nice rounded tip. However, they have noticeably different outlines that cater to their hunting habits. Here’s another surefire way to tell these two animals apart: Look at their snout! It’s one of the most apparent differences between alligators and crocodiles, and should be the first thing you observe when looking at these creatures.īoth are pretty scary and certainly powerful enough to take down prey. But when you do a size comparison in person, there’s no question which one is a crocodile or a gator. But even still, they are a good four to six feet longer than the American alligator.Įxpert Tip: Those differences aren’t super apparent when looking at pictures or videos. Males get to be around 13 feet long and tip the scales at 1,000 pounds.Īmerican crocodiles are slightly smaller than the average saltwater species. But, they rarely get that big, even in captivity.įemales are only eight to ten feet long, weighing 700 pounds.

The American alligator is the one that most people will encounter. However, they’re noticeably more petite when compared your average croc.

It can reach lengths of about 23 feet, weighing more than a ton in some cases! They’re true giants that can do a lot of damage to any creature they consider prey.Īlligators are massive, too. The biggest species is the saltwater crocodile. crocodiles, crocodiles tend to be considerably larger as a whole. That said, when it comes to alligators vs. Meanwhile, crocs belong to the Crocodylidae family. However, classification gets pretty complex after that.Īlligators are part of the Alligatordae family. Both of these reptile giants belong to the Crocodilia order. Here are some of the most notable differences you can tell these two reptiles apart. While they can be subtle at a glance, there are many ways to correctly identify an alligator vs. However, there are some distinct differences between alligators and crocodiles that set them apart. Thanks to their similar appearance and behavior, many use their names interchangeably. Apex predators in their respective habitats, there are very few animals that have the sheer power to match these living fossils. “Gators” and “crocs” are two of the fiercest beasts to walk our planet. What’s The Difference Between An Alligator And A Crocodile?

What’s The Difference Between An Alligator And A Crocodile?.