The 8 main differences between alligators and crocodiles. Comparing alligators and crocodiles reading passages and. There are however a number of important differences which set these apex predators apart. Explore the updated online encyclopedia from encyclopaedia britannica with hundreds of thousands of articles, biographies, videos, images, and web sites. I adore books, so i want to share some of my and zoeys favorite alligator and crocodile books for kids. Alligators and crocodiles are fascinating for most children. This resource includes an alligator reading comprehension passage, a crocodile reading comprehension passage, comprehension questions for both passages, an alligator vs. The majority of the book describes similarities between alligators and crocodiles. The easiest way of telling apart crocodiles from alligators, however, is to look at their noses. In the case of alligators, the lower teeth are typically not visible when the mouth is shut. She makes an, often confusing, topic understandable through accurate illustrations, diagrams, and interesting writing.
This is probably the most frequently asked question when it comes to crocodilians, and while the answer may appear straightforward the real truths lie in the details. Physical differences between alligators and crocodiles include their skin color, the shapes of their jaws and their teeth placement. Found in asia, africa, central america, malaya, indonesia and north australia. Another difference between crocodiles and alligators is their habitat. In terms of physical differences, observing the snout the mouth and nose is one of the simplest ways to distinguish between a crocodile and an alligator. Difference between alligator and crocodile alligator vs. Alligators and crocodiles revised a great way to celebrate the alphabet is by focusing on a different animal each week, in alphabetical order, such as alligator, bear, cat, dog, etc. Crocodiles are grayishgreen and prefer coastal, brackish and saltwater habitats. And if youre daring enough, take a gander at their chompers.
The alligator family includes the caiman, and the crocodile. You are very likely to run into these reptiles during your everglades airboat tour, and you may be wondering what the difference is between the two. So, what are the differences between caimans, alligators, and crocodiles. Difference between alligators and crocodiles compare the. Whereas, crocodiles are a light tan or olive green in color with a vshaped snout that is longer and narrow in front. Most people confuse the alligators and crocodiles, as they are both huge, scaly lizards of prey. Use the internet and check out books from the library so your students can learn facts about these animals and then compare and. Many people have a hard time telling the difference between alligators and crocodiles.
Another difference between alligators and crocodiles that can easily be noticed is the slight difference in their color. The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is. Hayden since alligators and crocodile are both reptiles they are often easily mistaken. Gas prices in athens might have found their bottom. Interview with alligator differences between alligators and crocodiles. Crocodiles have long, narrow, vshaped snouts, while those of alligators are wider and ushaped. What a wonderful way to teach the skill of comparing and contrasting. The reptile does most of its hunting at night which makes him nocturnal. Although these reptiles favor in physical features, there.
The crocodiles slimmer snouts are flexible for fishhunting while the alligators are wider, giving them greater power to crush their food prey. The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is that they are from different families of crocodilians. American alligator are not considered endangered species, but these harsh looking creatures are threatened. The teeth of a crocodile are visible, even when the crocodile s mouth is closed, while alligator teeth are invisible until the mouth is open. Crocodilian biology database faq whats the difference. The main difference is that a crocodile has a narrow snout that comes to a point at the tip, and the fourth lower tooth is always visible even when the crocodile s mouth is closed. Difference between alligator and crocodile youtube. Crocodiles and alligators compare and contrast third grade. While they do share many of the same features, they couldnt be more different to a. Ben shows us the differences between crocodiles and alligators using a saltwater crocodile and a baby american alligator.
In this nonfiction book, gail gibbons teaches readers expertly about the differences between alligators and crocodiles. Comparison between alligators and crocodiles introduction as a result of both crocodiles and alligators beingreptilian animals from the same crocodylia animal order ortleb and cadice x, they can at times tend to exhibit a number of similarities such as sharing a similar diet, an amazing swimming speed that can be as fast as 20 miles per hour and having a similar that can cause it to become relatively difficult to easily distinguish between the two. This nonfiction text structure is compare and contrast. Crocodile live in freshwater, they can also live in salt water. Crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles from the same order of animals, named crocodylia. Alligators and crocodiles have different snouts one of the main differences between alligators and crocodiles is the snout. So, the first difference is that alligators and crocodiles are actually in different families. Crocodiles and alligators two creatures that share many similarities. Its not that hard to tell an american alligator from a crocodile if you know what to look for. Here, visitors can see alligators and crocodiles, relics of the dinosaur age. Find the top 100 most popular items in amazon books best sellers. Its fourth lower tooth cannot be seen when the alligator s mouth is closed. Alligators are darker in color, nearly black with a ushaped snout. Are your students interested in learning about alligators and crocodiles.
Difference between crocodile and alligator alligator vs. Alligators and caimans have a wide ushaped, rounded snout like a shovel, whereas crocodiles tend to have longer and more. Difference between crocodile and alligator alligator vs crocodile. I hope by reading this you can now tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Alligators and crocodiles free essays, term papers. Pointbypoint compare and contrast e ss a y sample guide alligators and crocodiles a journey back into prehistoric times is only as far away as the local zoo. Alligators and crocodiles by gail gibbons 2010 description. Difference between crocodile and alligator comparison between crocodile and alligator this a fight to a better predator differences are based on. Whats the difference between alligators and crocodiles. Alligators have ushaped faces that are wide and short, while crocodiles have slender almost vshaped muzzles. One of the most common questions alligator and crocodile researchers face today is what the differences are between the two.
What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. What are the differences between an alligator and a. The best alligator and crocodile books for kids living. What are the differences between an alligator and a crocodile. In crocodiles, however, some teeth in the bottom jaw appear, most notably the large fourth tooth. The crocodilians includes crocodiles, alligators, gavials, caimans. Pointbypoint compare and contrast essay sample guide alligators and crocodiles a journey back into prehistoric times is only as far away as the local zoo. Buy a comparative essay sample to compare and contrast two things. Alligators and crocodiles essays crocodiles and alligators are two reptiles that are often mistaken for each other. Click on the the core icon below specified worksheets to see connections to the common core standards initiative. Students compare and contrast alligators and crocodiles by sorting 9 description cards and completing a venn diagram. How are crocodiles and alligators different and similar. By jeanna bryner live science editorinchief 15 september 2012. At first glance, if youve ever seen an alligator or crocodile, they may look very similar.
Read on to find out what some of these differences are while enjoying all. A newly discovered difference between alligators and. Other differences include their environments and aggressiveness. The alligator family includes the caiman, and the crocodile family includes the gavial. Alligators are freshwater animals, while crocodiles live in saltwater. Alligators are dark colored with a broad, rounded snout and are usually found in fresh water.
There is the american alligator and the chinese alligator. These differences are indicative of the type of diet that each species favors. The difference between alligators and crocodiles is often easy to spot once you get the hang of it. This page contains a large collection of compare and contrast graphic organizers, articles, activities, and worksheets. What are the differences between alligators and crocodiles. A newly discovered difference between alligators and crocodiles. How to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. Crocodiles are also shy, reclusive, and rarely seen by people but are still very aggressive. Feb 4, to most people, alligators and crocodiles look pretty similar. Most species are about the same size except for the saltwater crocodile, which can be twothousand pounds in weight. An alligator, on the other hand, has a broad, blunt snout. Crocodiles are from the crocodylidae family, while alligators and caiman are from the alligatoridae family. The difference between a crocodile and an alligator.
Mar 19, many differences between the two reptiles center on their heads and mouths, though they look remarkably similar, alligators and crocodiles. Both of them are cold blooded and must regulate their body temperatures, either by being in water or basking in the sun. Comparing and contrasting alligators and crocodiles tpt. Crocodiles hunt larger prey, such as sharks and large mammals such as buffaloes, apes, and even humans. An essay template and transition words reference sheet are also included, enabling students to effortlessly use the information from their ve. Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. The alligators is broader and shaped like a u, whereas the crocodile s is longer and narrower and more vshaped. The book begins by playing on our fear of alligators and crocodiles, describing one of these giant reptiles gliding through the water, slowly appearing above the surface. The most obvious way to tell a crocodile, left, from an alligator, is from their snouts. Start studying crocodiles and alligators compare and contrast. Comparison between alligators and crocodiles introduction as a result of both crocodiles and alligators beingreptilian animals from the same crocodylia animal order ortleb and cadice x, they can at times tend to exhibit a number of similarities such as sharing a similar diet, an amazing swimming speed that can be as fast as 20 miles per hour and having a similar that can cause it to become.
Crocodile and alligator differences animal facts for kids. Whats the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Coming face to face with a crocodile or an alligator. Listen to this article about crocodiles and alligators and explore the concept of compare and contrast. What is the difference between crocodiles, alligators and.
Alligators and crocodiles are both relics of the dinosaur age, facing an uncertain future as humans encroach on their territory. In alligators its broad and ushaped, while in crocodiles its narrow and vshaped. How to tell the difference between a crocodile and an. Your students will use this product to record the facts and information that they learn about alligators and crocodiles. While there are plenty of differences between alligators and crocodiles, there are also a lot of similarities. Alligators and crocodiles are fierce predators and have bite capacities that are profoundly dangerous, incredible dive times, and armor that keeps them safe from most any predator. The florida everglades is famous for many things, one of them being the only environment on earth in which american alligators and american crocodiles coexist in harmony.
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