What Is the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?

What Is the Difference Between Alligators and Crocodiles?

Today we’re taking a closer look at two commonly mistaken cousins– crocodiles and alligators. What’s the story with them? What do they have in common? And, more importantly, what are the differences? Let’s talk about it.

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• Narrated by: Derek Lane

• Background music:
Youtube Library

#crocodile #alligator

[offgridderbulgaria]

I always thought that one would see you later and the other one would see you in a while, but it seems there is much more to them than that.

[andymanaus]

Here in Australia, the most common human victims of saltwater crocodiles, "salties" as we fondly call them, are from the United States of America. A major reason for this is, like the narrator, they think alligators are "very similar to crocodiles in all the ways that matter."

They are not. Especially in regards to aggressiveness and temprement.

Comparing an alligator's temprement to a crocodile's is like comparing a house cat to a territorial tiger with a toothache. You might get away with messing with an alligator but any human foolishness around a salty will result in almost certain death.

While an alligator's presence on a Floridian golf course might be just a novelty and cautionary warning, a salty on an Australian golf course is cause to evacuate the course and call in an emergency response from police and the local wildlife authorities.

Hanging around turbid water in croc areas is a very dangerous thing to do. Camping or getting drunk in an area with saltwater crocodiles is a common method of getting yourself killed.

A while ago, a drunk guy in the Queensland city of Cairns fell asleep on a beach pier just a few hundred metres from the Cairns CBD (downtown). A big salty walked up the beach, onto the pier, walked the length of it, took the guy and slid into the water before the victim knew what happened. His missing person case was closed when police viewed the pier's security cameras. The body was never found.

If you visit Australia, be aware that the graphic for "Northern Australia" Is incorrect. The highlighted area is the Northern Territory. "Northern Australia" refers to the general area north of the Tropic of Capricorn including most of Queensland, the Northern Territory and northern Western Australia. And yes, saltwater crocodiles are found everywhere in the "Top End", both on the coast and far inland. They have no problem living and breeding in freshwater rivers and lakes hundreds of kilometres from the coast.

Take saltwater crocodile signs seriously. Assume at all times there is at least one croc in the water. Keep dogs on a leash and away from the water. Never ever let kids wander. Don't swim or camp in known crocodile areas even if the coast looks clear.

When boating, don't hang your head, hands, arms or legs over the side and never toss fish guts or food of any kind into the water. Salties can launch vertically out of the water by up to three metres or ten feet. If you don't believe that, go visit Australia Zoo where they demonstrate it every croc show.

Don't be the next Darwin Award winner involving a salty.

[saxon]

An alligator will eat your dog. A crocodile will eat you and your dog.

[RCSVirginia]

What is the difference? Humans are more likely to be on the menu at the Crocodile Café than at the Alligator Auberge.

[Iamtheiguana]

Difference is this, as a big guy when i look at gators I feel like I am not really on the menu for alligators unless I am doing something dumb, when i look at crocodiles I feel like I am not just on the menu but a delicacy

[MegaMesozoic]

Somebody once remarked about crocodiles - 'If you're on the bank you're on the menu!'

[Lennystra]

It's simple, really.
Alligator: Dangerous wild animal
Crocodile: Devil incarnate

[ronsejour]

Who else came here for a visual explanation of the “difference “ and not a history lesson?

[carrier_pigeon]

Crocodiles definitely look a lot angrier. Alligators look like they’re just trying to chill by the pool in Florida with a beer.

[ianm]

Crocodiles are far bigger and more aggressive than Alligators

[oldnorthsider]

The easiest way to tell them apart is alligators you see later and crocodiles you see in awhile

[Brick_RBX]

Alligator: Who are you?
Crocodile: Im the upgraded version of you

[bizobloka]

'Crocs see you as food'

Noted, Sir.

[MahjikM]

If you came here for the information in the actual title, jump to 9:15.

[majorsynthqed]

Surprised that there was no mention of alligators being more tolerant of colder weather, even able to survive short periods of freezing temperatures.

[TrustynHERO]

7:43 Bruh clearly said “alligatortitty” and that mental image is killing me🤣🤣🧡🐊👻💀😜

[ShonnMorris]

Salt Water Crocs also range across Southeast Asia, not just Australia. The state with the highest Alligator population is actually Louisiana. Another environmental difference is that Alligators are cold tolerant. Crocs aren't at all. Gators can survive periods of ice on the water and will go into brumation with the tip of their snouts petruding above the ice. These conditions would kill any crocodile.

[growleym]

If he says, "See ya later",
you got an alligator.
If he says, "After while",
then he's a crocodile.

Just like the capybara,
says "bye" with "sayonara"
and a hospitable baboon,
will insist you "come back soon".

[jayfloramusic]

Growing up I used to think Alligators are more dangerous but I was wrong.

[SufferersKeepOnJammin]

I thought hippos kill more people than crocs.