baby crocodile © Jessie
Cohen/ NZP / Smithsonian
Crocodilians
There are
22 species of the animal order Crocodilia, which
includes alligators. Scientists believe they've been on Earth for 65 million years and
haven't changed much because they're so good at what they do...lie in the water and wait
for the food to come to them.
All Crocodilians live in warm climates near
the water. All are strict carnivores. They will eat any animal they can catch. So, what's
the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?
An alligator's top teeth cover its bottom
teeth and has a rounded snout. A crocodile's bottom teeth stick out so you can see them
and has a pointy and narrow snout. Alligators are also heavier and less active than
crocodiles.