Basic Facts on Alligators and Crocodiles

Both crocs and alligators belong to the same subgroup of reptiles and they live mostly in tropical or semitropical regions. Alligators are typically seen in the southern US and the crocs in Africa, India, South America, and southern United States. They are one of the biggest in reptiles. There are sheltered by their scaly exterior and they have webbed toes. They mostly reside along the river banks and in swampy regions.

The main cause for the geographical separation of Alligators and Crocodiles has to do with biology. On their tongue, the crocs have strong salt glands that drive out large quantities of salt, allowing them to survive in more saline waters. Alligators' salt glands don't function as well, making them to stick to freshwater habitats. Another way to recognize the reptile is to go ahead and take a good look at the teeth. Because an alligator's lower jaw is somewhat smaller than the upper one, the lower teeth are concealed when the mouth is shut. So, you can only see the down-pointing top-teeth when the alligator smiles at you with its mouth closed.

In crocodiles, both jaws are more or less the same size; their lower and upper teeth interweave when they shut their mouths up, giving you a good view of both the lower and upper teeth. If you go on to glimpse a prominent, protruding fourth tooth on its bottom jaw, you will know exactly which kind of reptile guy is trying to use you like a foodstuff. Although their teeth look dissimilar, both species of crocodilians have a never ending number of teeth. Contrasting to mammals that get only one chance for re-growing any lost teeth, these crocodilians can grow their dangerous teeth as many times as they like throughout their lifetime.

An easy way to differentiate between the two animals is by scrutinizing their skin. Both crocodiles and alligators have tiny pits called integumentary sense organs or dermal pressure receptors, which allow them to trace prey by distinguishing the small pressure changes in water made by other creatures. The pits appear like tiny dots and wrap more or less every inch of a crocodile's body, but only the jaws of an alligator. Therefore, it is easy to make out the differentiation between alligator and crocodile skin just by having a look at the revealing dots. So whatever crocodilian is after you, you will be sure in knowing precisely what toothy creature you're dealing with.