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1 Why Is It Called Black Friday?

What’s the Difference Between Alligators and  Actions 2 How Many Electoral College Votes Does Each U.S.
State Have?

Crocodiles? 3 What’s the Difference Between Alligators and


Crocodiles?

By Amy Tikkanen 4 Pro and Con: School Uniforms

5 Did Duchess Anastasia Survive Her Family’s


Don’t know a gator from a crocodile? You’re probably not alone. Although these large Execution?

reptiles belong to different families, they share a number of similarities, including


long snouts, powerful tails, short legs, and bony-plated backs. But there are some
easy ways to tell them apart. The first is the shape of the snout. In alligators it’s
broad and U-shaped, while in crocodiles it’s narrow and V-shaped. Next are the
teeth. In the case of alligators, the lower teeth are typically not visible when the
mouth is shut. In crocodiles, however, some teeth in the bottom jaw appear, most 
notably the large fourth tooth. Another difference is color. Gray or black? It’s Image: Hemera/Thinkstock

probably a gator. Olive or tan? A crocodile. The two reptiles also differ in
location. Crocodiles are usually found in saltwater habitats, while alligators prefer freshwater areas. And last—but
definitely not least—is behavior. Crocodiles are typically more aggressive than gators.

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