Crocodile or Alligator - What’s the Difference?

4. Summary

This table shows you the most important differences between crocodile and alligator at a glance.

Alligator

• Size: 11-15 feet (3.4 to 4.6 m) (males)
• Weight: 790-990 pounds (360-450 kg) (males)
• Head: broad
• Snout: U-shaped, broad
• Teeth: 4th teeth in lower jaw not visible
• Life expectancy: 30-65 years
• Behavior: rather calm, spend a lot of time on land
• Locomotion: can run far
• Habitat: Freshwater
• Distribution: USA and China only

Crocodile

• Size: 11-20 feet (3.5 to 6 m) (males)
• Weight: 880-2200 pounds (400-1,000 kg) (males)
• Head: narrow
• Snout: V-shaped, narrow
• Teeth: 4th teeth in lower jaw visible
• Life expectancy: 70-100 years
• Behavior: more active, spending more time in the water
• Locomotion: can't run long
• Habitat: Freshwater, brackish water
• Distribution: Africa, Asia, Australia, America

Alligator - Photo: Svetlana Foote/Shutterstock

• Table of Contents
• 0. Introduction
• 1. Teeth
• 2. Snout
• 3. Habitat
• 4. Summary With All Differences

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