Alligators and Crocodiles - Compare and Contrast

Alligators and Crocodiles

Alligators and crocodiles are similar in that they have both lived on the Earth for more than 200 million years. Both alligators and crocodiles belong to a group called crocodilian. There are only two different species of alligators in comparison to the fourteen different species of crocodiles. 

Crocodiles can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh up to one ton. On the contrary, alligators are usually less than 14 feet long. Alligators and crocodiles eyes, ears, and nose are set high on head and both can stay underwater up to 2 hours. Both animals lay between 35 and 70 eggs.  After the mother lays her eggs, she covers the eggs with dirt. Alligator eggs hatch in 65 days. Crocodiles take longer to hatch—about 80 days.

Crocodiles live longer than alligators do. That is probably because they are larger. Crocodiles can live up to 70 years, and some may be more than 100 years old.

Alligators and caimans only live for 30 to 40 years. Animals that live in zoos or preserves usually live longer than animals in the wild. That is true because animals in a zoo have no natural predators  and also have plenty of food to eat.

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Lived on Earth for more than 200 million years.

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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Belong to group called crocodilian

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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Two different species of alligators

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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fourteen different species of crocodiles

• alligators

• crocodiles

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can grow up to 23 feet long and weigh up to one ton

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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usually less than 14 feet long

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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eyes, ears, and nose are set high on head

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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can stay underwater up to 2 hours

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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lay between 35 and 70 eggs

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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eggs hatch in 65 days

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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eggs takes longer to hatch—about 80 days

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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can live up to 70 years, and some may be more than 100 years old

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both

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only live for 30 to 40 years

• alligators

• crocodiles

• both