Alligators, caimans, and gharials need freshwater habitat, but crocodiles and false gharials can survive in freshwater or saltwater. In contrast, an alligator or a caiman would have a u shaped mouth. In contrast, crocodiles have narrower, vshaped snouts. Caimans feed mainly on small animals such as fish, small birds, and small mammals. A newly discovered difference between alligators and crocodiles. Press reports have variously referred to al as an alligator, a crocodile, and a caiman. The snout is the biggest difference with the crocodile and the alligator. In alligators its broad and ushaped, while in crocodiles its narrow and vshaped.
Check out the seven main differences between alligators and crocodiles below, along with a few interesting facts about the two of them. Differences between a caiman, crocodile and an alligator. Whats the difference between a caiman, an alligator and a. The alligators is broader and shaped like a u, whereas the crocodile s is longer and narrower and more vshaped. Alligators have ushaped faces that are wide and short, while crocodiles have slender almost vshaped muzzles.
While they are similar there are significant differences among them. As you probably know, i love crocodiles and caimans. The easiest way to distinguish the three species apart is by observing their snout, however, i dont recommend getting too close. Crocodiles are often mistaken for alligators and caimans. Whats the difference between the three, and which label is correct. Crocodilealligatorcaiman crocodile facts and information.
On the other hand, ive seen very large caiman exhibits populated with species of varanid lizards. Crocodiles tend to have v shaped mouths, including the nose. The 8 main differences between alligators and crocodiles. One of the main differences between alligators and crocodiles is the snout. A newly discovered difference between alligators and. He explains the difference between alligators and crocodiles. Caiman and alligator belong to the genus alligator and species alligator mississippiensis. A crocodile is a salt water dweller it lives in the ocean and salt water river they also have narrow snouts that show their teeth. Caimans and alligators both have wide, ushaped snouts. I meet up with zz from zams swamp tours near thibodaux, louisiana.
More importantly, if there is a large size difference between the animals, there is a very good chance that the larger animal will kill and eat the smaller one even if they are the same species cannibalism is common amongst crocodilians. Difference between caiman and alligator samsung galaxy blog. Those of alligators are wider and shorter, and crocodiles top and bottom teeth are interlaced and visible when their mouths are closed. There are three groups, or families, of crocodilians. Whats the difference between alligators and crocodiles. Unlike the alligator, though, caimans do not have a septum. Alligator sometimes telling the difference between a caiman, an alligator and a crocodile can be difficult.