A study reveals that up to 70 percent of female alligators returned to the same mate for several years.

Alligators vastly outnumber crocodiles in the US. Say you're in the swamp and a menacing, hungry reptile heads your way -- your dying wish is to know the particular species of said attacker. Meanwhile, because of their saltwater environment, crocodiles tend to eat frogs, birds, fish, crustaceans (crab), and large mammals (wildebeest and zebras). So don't expect to see any "crocogators" soon! Since completing university, Paul has worked as a librarian, teacher, and freelance writer. Answer: Despite the difference of snout shape, the jaws do open in a similar way. The smallest species (dwarf crocodile) can measure about 6 feet in length and weigh around 13 to 15 pounds, whereas the largest species (saltwater crocodile) can measure more than 20 feet in length and weigh close to 2,000 pounds! Question: Can an alligator and a crocodile have kids together? I do admire those who came before us and who without technology such as night vision video recorders, nor cameras nor guns were able to observe animals as they grazed, fed and protected their young.

However, adults will sometimes venture up to 170 feet (50 m) from water to look for prey. This superfamily is thought to have split from the crocodile-gharial lineage in the late Cretaceous, about 87 million years ago. Read on to find out the main differences between crocodiles and alligators. Answer: This crocodile, also known informally as a "saltie," can be found throughout most of Southeast Asia, as far west as the eastern coast of India, and all the way down to northern Australia. Many of these species are threatened by the leather trade and thus are protected under the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (). Used this to do a speech in my college class, was very helpful thanks dude. Answer: No, they are wild animals who generally see humans as a threat. You will receive a verification email shortly. This difference explains why crocodiles have managed to spread across the islands of the Caribbean, and alligators haven't. In crocodiles, however, some teeth in the bottom jaw appear, most notably the large fourth tooth. Question: In which climate are crocodiles and alligators most often found?

), which determines who gets the best spot for soaking up the sun (i.e., a "basking site") to help regulate their body temperature and who gets priority eating in large group feedings.

ziyena from the United States on October 09, 2018: My nightmare. Alligators are native only to China (Eastern; mostly in the Yangtze River) and the United States (Southern; particularly Florida and Louisiana). You’re probably not alone. The Nile Delta is incredibly densely populated by humans. Question: Are alligators different from crocodiles? Fish and Wildlife Service) The two reptiles are close relatives. I always wondered what the difference was!

The old alligators are nothin' but little lizards to me mate'. Thank you so much u helped with a merit badge in boy scouts I loved your article! Both crocodiles are potentially dangerous to humans, but saltwater crocs are especially aggressive. I was able to pull away, alligator then gave up, went back in woods. The snout of the crocodiles is long narrow and V-shaped while the snout f the alligator is wide and U shaped. Live Science is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Crocodiles have a lifespan ranging from 70 to 100 years; however, their size can vary due to the number of species there are.

I love watching them in the Everglades, which is the only place in the world where alligators and crocodiles coexist.