Differences between an alligator and a crocodile

Have you wondered if there are differences between an alligator and a crocodile? Well, when I was going through a comprehension passage recently, my pupils posed me this question.

Here are some general ways to tell the two apart:

(1) Shape of the jaw

Crocodiles tend to have longer, more pointed, V-shaped snouts while alligators tend to have wider, U- shaped, rounded snouts.

(2) Teeth

The fourth tooth on the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip on crocodiles. Hence we can see it when their mouths are closed. The fourth tooth of an alligator is covered up.

(3) Habitat

Crocodiles prefer saltwater habitats while alligators prefer freshwater habitats. Crocodiles have special glands in their tongues that can get rid of excess salt. Although alligators have these special glands too but they do not work as well as the crocodiles'.

Do you know?

Both alligators and crocodiles are members of the reptilian order, Crocodylia. But the families they belong to, Alligatoridae and Crocodylidae respectively, differ. The term "crocodilian" encompasses not just the common alligators and crocodiles but also the lesser known Gavialidae family that contains the lone gavial, or gharial. There are 23 species of crocodilians.