HEAD TO HEAD

How do their crocodilian features compare?

1 ROUNDED SNOUT

Alligators have wider U-shaped snouts.

2 POINTED SNOUT

Crocodiles have long V-shaped snouts.

3 HIDDEN FANGS

Because of their wider upper jaw, some of an alligator’s teeth are hidden when their mouths are shut. They have around 80 teeth.

4 INTERLOCKING TEETH

Crocodiles have 66 teeth. When their mouths are shut you can see the teeth interlocking.

5 DARKER ALLIGATORS

Alligators are usually grey-black. This helps their scales absorb more Sun in cooler climates and remain hidden in murky waters.

6 CROCODILE COLOUR

The greener complexion of crocodiles better reflects sunlight in warmer environments and makes them more camouflaged in coastal sand.

7 SMOOTH SCALES

Alligators’ scales are smaller and smoother than a crocodile’s. The arrangement is less uniform, with the smallest scales being towards the sides of the body.

8 SYMMETRICAL SCALES

A crocodile’s scales are more regular and rectangular. Like alligators, larger scales are located on the back.