Crocodiles and Alligators

A crocodile has a 'V' shaped snout while an alligator has a rounded 'U' shaped snout. A crocodile's upper and lower jaws are different sizes, so their teeth are always exposed. An alligator has even jaws hiding all but a little of its upper teeth. Crocodiles and alligators are different colours too: crocodiles are olive-brown and alligators are dark brown or dark green. Alligators and crocodiles live in different parts of the world, though obviously many are housed in foreign zoos. Alligators are mostly found in eastern China and the southern parts of the United States and crocodiles are found in Australia, Africa, south-east Asia, and across the American continent. Because crocodiles have special glands to help them cope with salt, they are quite often found near salt water, though they also like fresh water. Alligators are more likely to be found in fresh water lakes and rivers, but they can tolerate salt to a certain extent. Crocodiles and alligators are both from the order Crocodilia, but only crocodiles are true crocodiles; the animals are taxonomically different.