What's the difference: alligator or crocodile?

Estimated Completion Time
1 min
What's the difference: alligator or crocodile?
Image: Prensis/Thinkstock

About This Quiz

Crocodiles and alligators may resemble each other, but they actually have some major differences. Can you tell the difference between these scaly cousins?
Which of these animals has a pointy, V-shaped snout?
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

The crocodile snout is pointed, while alligators have a more rounded, U-shaped nose.

All the lower teeth on this animal are hidden from sight when it closes its mouth.
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

On a croc, the fourth tooth on the lower jaw sticks out when its mouth is closed. You can't see an alligator's teeth at all when its mouth is closed (but rest assured, they're still there).

Both alligators and crocodiles prefer saltwater.
true
false
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crocodiles have special glands in their tongue to help them process saltwater, but alligators generally stick to freshwater.

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What do you call a group of gators?
congregation
murder
bask
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A group of alligators is known as a congregation.

What is a group of crocodiles called?
set
peck
bask
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

A group of crocodiles is known as a bask.

Which of these animals is primarily found in southern Florida?
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alligators mostly make their home in southern Florida, while crocodiles live all over the world.

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Which of these creatures is usually grayish green in color?
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crocodiles are generally grayish-green, while gators appear almost black.

If you spot a baby animal with yellow stripes, you're likely looking at a….
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Alligators babies are dark with yellow stripes, while crocodiles are lighter with dark stripes. Either way, steer clear.

Which of these animals is associated with more attacks on humans in the United States?
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crocodile bites are relatively rare, but alligators bite roughly six people per year in Florida.

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Which of these animals has small black sensory pits covering their body?
crocodile
alligator
Correct Answer
Wrong Answer

Crocs have these pits all over their bodies, while gators have them only around the jaws. This is what makes it fairly easy to distinguish garments made from alligator skin from those made from crocodile skin.

You Got:
/10
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