Confused with alligator and crocodile ?

Do you often get confused with an alligator and a crocodile ? If you really want to know for sure, you need to know the particular characteristics of each species. There are a few general ways to tell the two apart. But before I tell you let me share an other valuable information that you will love to know. "All the species of alligators, caimans, crocodiles, and gharial together are known as "crocodilians."

Shape of the jaw— Alligators tend to have wide, U-shaped, rounded snouts, while crocodiles tend to have longer, more pointed, V-shaped snouts.

Teeth— The fourth tooth on the lower jaw sticks up over the upper lip on crocodiles, so you can see it when their mouths are closed. In alligators, this fourth tooth is covered up.

Alligator

 Habitat— Crocodiles also have special glands in their tongues that can get rid of excess salt, so they tend to live in saltwater habitats. Alligators have these glands, too, but they don't work as well as the crocodiles', so alligators prefer to live in freshwater habitats.

Senses— Crocodilians are efficient hunters, and their senses are more powerful than those of most other reptiles. You may not be able to see a croc's ears, but they have excellent hearing. They have slits on their heads that lead to a well-developed inner ear, and the slits close up when they dive to keep water out.

Crocs can even hear their young calling from inside their eggshells! They also have keen eyesight above water, similar to an owl's. Their eyes are placed on top of their heads so they can see well as they cruise the water looking for prey. They can probably see some color, and they have good vision at night because their vertical pupils can open wider than our round ones to let in more light. Crocs have taste buds to taste their food, and special organs in their snouts give them a great sense of smell.

Crocodile

Dinner time—Crocs are carnivores and eat whatever they can catch in the water or along the banks. That includes fish, turtles, frogs, birds, pigs, deer, buffalo, and monkeys, depending on the size of the croc. Gharials and false gharials are specialists, though—with their slender snouts, all they can catch are fish. Crocs don't chew their food. They either tear off large pieces and swallow them or swallow the prey whole if it's small enough. That means that the croc has to juggle the food around until it's in the right position, then toss its head back so the food falls down its throat. Some croc species can eat up to half their body weight in one meal. At the San Diego Zoo, the crocodilians get trout and giant goldfish.

Alligator and Caiman Range: alligators are found in the southern United States and eastern China;caimans are found in Central America and South America 
Habitat: grassy swamps and slow-moving rivers

Crocodile Range: North, Central, and South America,Africa, Southeast Asia, and Australia 
Habitat: grassy swamps and slow-moving rivers

Gharial Range: India 
Habitat: rivers with deep pools and sand or mud banks