Gator or Croc? Linking Ideas in a Report

Alligator or Crocodile?

1At first glance, alligators and crocodiles look almost exactly alike. Both are large reptiles with long tails, scaly skin and powerful jaws. Both spend much of their time in the water, and both lay their eggs on land. However, if you know what to look for, you can tell these two animals apart.

2The easiest way to tell them apart is to look at the snout. An alligator has a wide, rounded snout shaped like the letter U. In contrast, a crocodile's snout is usually narrower and more pointed, like the letter V. The teeth give another clue. When an alligator closes its mouth, its upper teeth cover most of its lower teeth. A crocodile, on the other hand, shows many of its lower teeth even when its mouth is shut.

3Color can be a clue as well, especially in bright sunlight. Alligators are usually dark gray or almost black. Many crocodiles, by contrast, are lighter, often olive green or tan.

4Where do these animals live? Alligators live mainly in fresh water, such as swamps, marshes and slow rivers. Most of them live in the southeastern United States, and a smaller kind lives in China. Crocodiles are found in warm parts of Africa, Asia, Australia and the Americas. Unlike alligators, many crocodiles can live in salty water, especially along coasts where rivers meet the sea. Special glands on a crocodile's tongue help its body get rid of extra salt. In the southern tip of Florida, both animals live in the wild.

5In some ways, though, these reptiles behave alike. Both are cold-blooded, so they warm up by lying in the sun on riverbanks. Similarly, both cool off by slipping into the water or resting in the shade, sometimes with their mouths wide open. Mothers of both kinds build nests and guard their eggs. When the babies hatch, a mother may gently carry them to the water in her mouth. Whether you see an alligator or a crocodile, the best plan is the same: admire it from a safe distance!