KOMPAS.com – Many think if crocodile and aligator it’s the same animal, because the physique looks very similar. This similarity is because crocodiles and alligators are still close relatives of the Crocodilia order.
At first glance, crocodiles and alligators have physical similarities such as thick skin and hideous sharp snouts. However, if you look further, crocodiles and alligators have many striking differences.
Do you know anything the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
Sharp muzzle and teeth
Quoting Live ScienceThe sharp, sharp snouts of alligators and crocodiles are different in shape. The alligator muzzle is wider, like the letter U. Meanwhile, the crocodile snout is more pointed and shaped like the letter V.
When the muzzle is closed, the crocodile will look like it is grinning and showing its teeth. Because the fourth tooth on each side of the crocodile’s lower jaw will always stick to its upper lip.
Meanwhile, when the alligator’s muzzle is closed, all the teeth in the lower jaw will be hidden. Because the upper jaw of the alligator is bigger than the lower jaw. So that when the muzzle is closed, the lower teeth will not be visible.
Also read: Crocodiles, Large Meat-eating Reptiles
The sizes and colors are also different
Reporting from Owlcation, the body size of an adult crocodile is greater than that of an adult alligator. Crocodile adults can grow to 19 feet or about five meters more, while adult alligators only have a maximum body size of 14 feet or about four meters.
In terms of color, crocodiles and alligators have differences. Crocodile skin color tends to be light brown or olive-like. Meanwhile, alligator skin is usually blackish gray, depending on the habitat.
Uniquely, alligator skin color is also influenced by the quality of the water in which it lives. If there is algae in these waters, the alligator’s skin can turn greener. Meanwhile, the presence of tannic acid from trees around the water will make the skin darker.
Where is its habitat?
Crocodiles have special glands in the tongue that function to remove excess salt on the tongue. This means that crocodiles can live for days or weeks in salty waters. However, the majority of crocodile habitat is indeed in salt water.
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