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Crocodiles and Alligators have distinct evolutionary histories for starters. Both are members of an a group of crocodylomorphs that radiated from archosaurs (that group includes dinosaurs and therefore birds) in the Triassic and are both are part of the order Crocodylia that began in the Cretaceous. Crocodiles first evolved ~60mya and Alligators evolved some 20my later. Another living group, the Gavials emerged in the Cretaceous- older than either crocs or alligators.
As for telling the animals apart visually today, Gavials are pretty distinct with the narrow jaws and are almost exclusively piscivorous. The best way to distinguish a croc is to note protruding teeth from the lower jaw outside of the mouth. Crocs will have one or a few teeth poing out from the lower jaw, upwardly and alligators tend to have a bigger upper jaw and will not have lower teeth protruding.
There are other differences as well that are not visibly discernable. I think alligators are interesting for having a respiratory system that is unidirectional. This is a trait dinosaurs and birds have that is very advanced and allows for fresh air to fill the lungs at both the inspiration and expiration stages of breathing as opposed to only at inspiration as in our "dead-end" lungs.
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How is a crocodile snout different from a alligators snout?
The crocodile has a more tapered snout than the broader snout of the alligator.
Is the crocodile also called an alligator?
No the crocodile and the alligator are two different animals.
What are types of crocodile?
cainmans, assian alligators, crodililes, and alligators.
Alligators and crocodile habitats?
eating
How is a crocodile's body different from an alligators?
It is different, read this-An alligators teeth point down (fang like) toward the front of the mouth (snout) and almost all species of crocodiles point up in the same location - an easy way to tell the difference.and the alligators snout is round and the crocodile's snout is a pointed or shape like triangle or sharp.
What animial is related to a crocodile?
Alligators and Gharials
What is being done to save crocodile?
Crocodiles or alligators? Because alligators are being eaten.
Are alligators just as strong as crocodiles?
No Crocodile is stronger.
Which shoe are more expensive alligators or crocodiles?
Crocodile
Where do freshwater crocodile?
In a Chevrolet Movie Theatre. With alligators.
Would and aligator and a crocitile fight if they saw each other?
The Crocodile would not fight with an alligator as an alligator is smaller and many crocodile species live in different countries of the world that alligators do.
What grow to be longer than crocodiles or alligators?
Most crocodile species grow longer than alligators.
