What is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is that they are from different families of crocodilians. Crocodiles are from the crocodylidae family, while alligators and caiman are from the alligatoridae family.

The second is that the croc has a V-shaped snout while the gator's is U-shaped. Also, the gator is usually sporting those garish orange and blue Florida colors and exhibiting some really strange behaviors. Seriously, the croc has a lighter brownish color as opposed to the gator which is nearly black in color.

Alligators prefer fresh water exclusively but crocodiles are fond of brackish water and may even be found in salt water and contain glands which help them excrete excess salt from their bodies.

In the United States, crocodiles are only found around the southern tip of Florida, though they can also be found in the Caribbean, Central America and South America. Alligators are found in the southeastern United States, and South Florida is the only known place in the world where crocodiles and alligators cohabitate the same areas.

Finally, in general, the more aggressive crocodile tends to grow larger as a species, to 19 feet, while the smaller and less aggressive alligator rarely reaches more than 14.

Close relatives of alligators and crocodiles include the Gavial, a river dwelling inhabitant of the Indian subcontinent and the Caiman, a threatened species living in the Amazon basin.