Large reptile that lives in water with a long snout and large, sharp teeth. What animal can you imagine? Most people think of crocodiles.

But there are other large reptiles that have a body shape and resemblance to crocodiles. What animal and how to tell the difference? The following article provides the differences between crocodiles and other animals namely alligators and alligators.

Reptiles are a group of vertebrate or vertebrate animals that are cold-blooded and have scales that cover almost their entire body. Cold-blooded animals mean that the temperature of the environment they are in greatly affects the body temperature of the animal.

Crocodiles, alligators and alligators belong to the class of reptiles Animalia in the family of the order Crocodilia. Reptiles are divided into four orders, namely crocodilia, sphenodontia, squamata, and testudines.

• Order Crocodilia: there are about 23 species between crocodiles, caimans and caimans.
• Odro Sphenodontia – consists of 2 species, one of which lives in New Zealand, namely the tutara.
• Order Squamata: Consists of about 7,900 species, including lizards and snakes.
• Order Testudinata: Consists of about 300 species, including tortoises and freshwater turtles.

The order Crocodilia is divided into three families, namely Crocodyloidea, Alligatoridae, and Gavialidae. It is said that the ancestors of the crocodilia order are the same but about 80 million years ago, the ancestors of these animals went through evolutionary processes so their evolutionary journeys separated and continued respectively.

1. Differences in families

The control comes from the same order, these three animals are more divided and come from different families. Crocodiles are included in the Crocodyloidea family, while alligators and alligators come from the same family, Alligatoridae.

2. Differences in the shape of the jaw

The first most easily seen difference between crocodiles, alligators and alligators is the shape of the jaw or the shape of the snout. Generally speaking, most species and types of crocodiles have a sharper jaw shape compared to alligators and caimans.

The shape of a crocodile’s sharp jaw or snout is often said to resemble the letter V. While the jaws of crocodiles and alligators are wider at the ends, they are said to have a shape that resembles the letter V. to the letter U. However, there are some crocodiles that have a slightly rounded snout.

3. Differences in the shape of the teeth

This difference in tooth shape is displayed when crocodiles, alligators, and alligators have their mouths closed. When the crocodile’s snout is closed, the crocodile will still look like a smile.

This is because the crocodile’s lower fourth teeth are still visible when the snout is closed. The teeth on the crocodile’s lower jaw are outside the line of the mouth, so when you close your snout, the lower teeth will appear.

Meanwhile, when alligators and alligators close their mouths, all their teeth fit tightly into the jaws, and no teeth are visible. This is because the upper jaw is larger than the lower jaw. So that when you close your mouth, your teeth are not visible at all.

4. Habitat differences

Crocodiles, alligators, and alligators naturally live in moist swampy areas. Alligators and alligators typically live in low-flow rivers, lakes, and swamps. These two animals cannot live in salt water.

Meanwhile, crocodiles usually live in wet swamps along rivers or lakes or in mangrove areas. Crocodiles can live by exploring river to river even though it is close and it is an estuary of the sea because crocodiles can live in salt water.

Although they have something in common, they are cold-blooded animals. But crocodiles need an environment with warmer temperatures in order to survive. While alligators and alligators can be arranged at lower temperatures.

5. Differences in the location of the sensory organs

This predatory reptile has a sensory organ called the integumentary sensory organ or commonly called the ISO. This ISO is usually a small black dot on your head.

This sensory organ functions for predators by detecting the presence of potential prey which is characterized by changes in water pressure. The ISO location between crocodiles, alligators and alligators is different.

Crocodiles have these sensory organs in almost every part of their body. While the alligator has ISO on the head and around the mouth.

6. Size difference

The size order starts from the largest to the smallest of the three, namely crocodiles, alligators, and then alligators.

Adult crocodiles can reach a size of 19 feet or more than 5 meters. While the maximum adult alligator grows only up to 14 feet or 4 meters in size.

Alligators are the smallest in size at only around 6 to 8 feet or 2 to 2.5 meters. But there is a type of giant alligator that reaches a size of 6 meters.

7. Body color difference

The difference in body color is found in these three animals. Alligators have a color that tends to be light brown, which is similar to olive.

Alligator has a blackish gray color. However, the color of the alligator can also differ depending on the environment, such as the presence of green algae or tannic acid.

While the alligator usually has a dull brown, green or even gray color that serves to camouflage itself.

8. The difference in running speed on land

Although not strictly land animals, crocodiles and alligators can run short distances quite quickly when threatened.

However, alligators run faster than crocodiles. Alligators can run up to 18 kilometers per hour while crocodiles only reach speeds of 14 kilometers per hour.

9. Swimming speed difference

As animals that mostly live in water, these animals have the ability to swim fast. But just like running speed on land, swimming speed is also surpassed by alligators.

Alligators can swim at speeds of up to 20 miles per hour. While crocodiles can only reach speeds of 15 kilometers per hour.