credit in pixabay
credit in pixabay
On our tours, people ask A LOT of questions about alligators, but the most common question by far is, “What is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?”
credit in pixabay
It is important to know that we will not see any crocodiles on our tour, only American Alligators (Alligator mississippiensis).
credit in pixabay
\The two reptile groups are closely related, so they do look physically similar, but there are some major differences one should know.
credit in pixabay
Physically, you can differentiate them by the shape of their snout. The crocodiles have more of a V-shaped snout while alligators have a U-shaped snout.
credit in pixabay
A crocodile’s top and bottom jaws are fairly equal, whereas an alligator has a bit of an “overbite” with the top jaw being slightly larger.
credit in pixabay
Crocodiles have a pronounced fourth tooth in the lower jaw that lays on the outside of the top jaw when closed.
credit in pixabay
Crocodiles also possess lingual salt glands (found on their tongues) that help excrete excess salt from their bodies.
credit in pixabay