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Crocodile vs. Alligator:
differences between crocodiles and alligators
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Snout
Crocodiles generally have sharp "V-shaped" snouts. Alligators (and caimans) have a wide "U"-shaped, rounded snout.
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Teeth
Crocodiles have a notch behind the external nostrils through which an enlarged 4th tooth on the lower jaw projects upward. The upper teeth of alligators are straight and enclose the lower teeth. In crocodiles upper and lower teeth incline laterally and interdigitate, leaving characteristic messy, toothy grin. -
Salt glands
Crocodiles and gharials have functioning salt glands on their tongue. This makes crocodiles more tolerant to life in saline water. -
Dermal Pressure Receptors (DPR)
Both crocodiles and alligators have small, sensory pits on the skin. Crocodiles have these organs virtually on every scale on their body, but alligators and caimans only have those around the jaws.
More about crocodilians at GeoChemBio.com
- Crocodilian species:
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All crocodilian species
Taxonomic place and brief description of each extant crocodilian species (25 species total). - Alligator mississipiensis (American alligator)
Facts, ecological importance, reproduction, life cycle and bibliography.
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All crocodilian species
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Crocodilian taxonomy and phylogeny
Summaries for key taxons in crocodilian taxonomic lineage. Secondary evolutionary adaptations in crocodilians. Evolutionary relashionships between crocodilians and other amniotes.
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Crocodilian photogallery
A few photographs of beautiful crocodilians

