Head to head
Saltwater Crocodile vs American Alligator
Crocodiles and alligators are close cousins in the order Crocodilia, but they are different families that split more than 80 million years ago. A few features tell them apart reliably — starting with the shape of the head.
| Saltwater Crocodile | American Alligator | |
|---|---|---|
| Snout shape | Narrow, pointed, V-shaped | Broad, rounded, U-shaped |
| Teeth when mouth is closed | Both jaws show; 4th lower tooth sticks out | Upper jaw overlaps and hides the lower teeth |
| Salt water | Thrives in it — salt glands on the tongue | Freshwater animal; poor salt tolerance |
| Maximum size | Largest reptile alive — 5.5 m+, 1,000 kg | Up to ~4.5 m and 450 kg |
| Where it lives | Indo-Pacific coasts, India to Australia | Southeastern USA (plus the Chinese alligator in China) |
| Number of species | 13–14 crocodile species | Just 2 alligator species |
| Colour | Olive, tan, or grey | Dark grey to almost black |
| Temperament | Highly aggressive; most human fatalities of any reptile | More reclusive; attacks rarer |
| Conservation status | Least Concern (recovered) | Least Concern (recovered) |
Crocodile vs Alligator: common questions
What is the easiest way to tell a crocodile from an alligator?
Look at the snout. An alligator has a wide, U-shaped snout and you cannot see its lower teeth when its mouth is shut. A crocodile has a narrow, V-shaped snout and shows teeth from both jaws, including a large fourth tooth on the lower jaw.
Which is more dangerous, a crocodile or an alligator?
The crocodile — specifically the saltwater and Nile crocodiles, which are large, bold, and responsible for most crocodilian attacks on people. American alligators are generally shy and account for far fewer incidents.
Can alligators live in salt water?
Only briefly. Alligators lack the specialised salt glands crocodiles have, so they stick to fresh and occasionally brackish water and cannot survive long in the sea.