Alligators and Crocodiles Essay Example for Free

Alligators and Crocodiles EssayNot many passel mountain differentiate between a crocodile and an alligator. Alligators and crocodiles argon similar but different in so many ways. In this paper I go out discuss the alligator and crocodile similarities and exits. If you see an alligator or a crocodile could you notify the difference? The ways you can tell the difference in an alligator and a crocodile is the snout, sensory pits, common salt glands on tongue, berates and teeth. Also in this paper I will paint you a picture of how the reptiles carry and tell you the difference in the reptiles size and habitat. Alligators are semi-aquatic carnivorous reptiles with four legs and a huge tail. Col, 2010).The reptile tail is half its length and it helps propel the alligator with the water. It is withal use of goods and servicesd as a weapon and stores fat for the alligator which he will use for nourishment for the winter. They are coldblooded (ectothermic) animals which do n ot make their own body heat but straighten out their heat by basking in the sun. (Col, 2010). The Chinese alligator can grow between 6 feet pertinacious and American alligators are 13 feet long but can grow up to 19 feet. Crocodiles keep up large, broad bodies with short legs and long, muscular tail. The crocodile has thick, leathery skin with bony, plate-shaped scales. (Hayden).They are cold blooded animals that color is both gray-green or brown. The crocodile have ears which are slits on the side of the head that most of us do not see and allows them to have superb hearing. The crocodile head is long and pointed with the eyes and nostrils located on the top of the head. Crocodile can range from 7-15 feet long but never stop growing and can live up to 75 years. Alligators upper jaw is spaciousr than the lower jaw and its lower teeth are mostly hidden when mouth is closed and fit into sockets in the upper jaw but makes the fourth tooth on to each one sides of its lower jaw fi t into a socket in the upper jaw. Turner).Alligators have a wide U-shaped short snout. Alligators have non-functional salt glands and sensory pits that are only near the jaws. (Col, 2010) Crocodiles upper jaws is about the aforementioned(prenominal) size as the lower jaw which makes its lower teeth show outside the upper jaw when mouth is closed. (Turner) The crocodile upper teeth show outside the lower jaw but snouts are narrow, v-shaped and long. Crocodile salt glands on the tongue excrete excess salt and the sensory pits are over most of the body.Alligators are only native to the United States and China but like to eat fish, turtles, various mammals, birds and other reptiles. The alligator lives only in fresh waters like ponds, marshes, wetlands, rivers, lakes, and swamps. (Lutz, 2012). When on land the alligator is slow to exit but can move fairly quickly in short distances. The alligators are usually sole(a) animals but smaller ones can be found in large numbers close to eac h other. (Lutz, 2012) Crocodiles live along the coast of Florida. , Central America, and parts of South America.The crocodile may live in unpalatable or salt-water that is warm and quiet such as mangrove swamps that are mostly found against the shorelines. (Turner). Crocodile overly may live where the river meets the sea known as estuaries. The crocodile eat fish and other animals that they find in or near the water, including turtles, snakes, small mammals, and birds. The reptile does most of its hunting at night which makes him nocturnal. Crocodiles are also shy, reclusive, and rarely seen by people but are still very aggressive. (Hayden) Since alligators and crocodile are both reptiles they are often easily mistaken.I hope by reading this you can now tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Alligators and crocodile physical appearance are very alike but if you look at the reptiles you could easily point out what is different. The things that are different about them are the snout, salt glands on tongue, sensory pits, jaws, and teeth. Remember crocodiles are very aggressive so do not approach them because they will attack. Now that you have a better visual of a crocodile and alligator, if you were to come into contact with one of the reptiles could you tell the difference between the two.