Students compare and contrast alligators and crocodiles by sorting 9 description cards and completing a venn diagram. Once you understand the differences, it is actually pretty easy to tell. Difference between alligators and crocodiles compare the. What a wonderful way to teach the skill of comparing and contrasting. The reptile does most of its hunting at night which makes him nocturnal. The teeth of a crocodile are visible, even when the crocodile s mouth is closed, while alligator teeth are invisible until the mouth is open.
Alligators and crocodiles by gail gibbons goodreads. Other differences include their environments and aggressiveness. Color the creatures, then compare them on the graphic organizer. After that, use the information on the organizer to write a written comparison. Their behavior is also starkly different, with crocs being more aggressive than gators. So, what are the differences between caimans, alligators, and crocodiles. Difference between crocodile and alligator alligator vs. A newly discovered difference between alligators and. Difference between alligators and crocodiles taxonomy of alligators and crocodiles crocodiles and alligators are both reptiles belonging to the order crocodilia, who have been in existence for over 80 million years. If youve found yourself on an everglades excursion and in the situation where you cant tell if the animal in front of you is an alligator or a crocodile, here are a few tips to help you differentiate the two. Another difference between crocodiles and alligators is their habitat.
The above points are amongst the most obvious differences between crocodiles and alligators in terms of external appearance. Although these large reptiles belong to different families, they share a number of similarities. Crocodiles are usually found in saltwater habitats, while alligators prefer freshwater areas. A newly discovered difference between alligators and crocodiles. Most species are about the same size except for the saltwater crocodile, which can be twothousand pounds in weight. The majority of the book describes similarities between alligators and crocodiles. In this nonfiction book, gail gibbons teaches readers expertly about the differences between alligators and crocodiles. I have loved alligators and crocodiles for as long as i can rememeber.
Alligators and crocodiles free essays, term papers. Whats the difference between alligators and crocodiles. Similar but different in the animal kingdom is an educational science book for children, youth, schools, libraries, and anyone interested in animals. Crocodiles have long and pointed, vshaped snouts while alligators have rounded, ushaped snouts. We are comparing and contrasting alligators and crocodiles posterfast facts abou. Comparison between alligators and crocodiles introduction as a result of both crocodiles and alligators beingreptilian animals from the same crocodylia animal order ortleb and cadice x, they can at times tend to exhibit a number of similarities such as sharing a similar diet, an amazing swimming speed that can be as fast as 20 miles per hour and having a similar that can cause it to become. Graphic organizers, fact sheet, and writing paper are all included as printables for your students. The difference between a crocodile and an alligator. What are the differences between an alligator and a. The most obvious way to tell a crocodile, left, from an alligator, is from their snouts. Crocodiles are typically more aggressive than gators. There are however a number of important differences which set these apex predators apart. Crocodiles are also shy, reclusive, and rarely seen by people but are still very aggressive.
Difference between crocodile and alligator comparison between crocodile and alligator this a fight to a better predator differences are based on. As a child, i drove my parents crazy with requests for our family to move to miami where i could be near the alligators. Other differences include the shape of their jaws and hind legs. Similar but different in the animal kingdom martina nicolls.
Learn vocabulary, terms, and more with flashcards, games, and other study tools. Listen to this article about crocodiles and alligators and explore the concept of compare and contrast. When an alligator has its mouth shut, you wont see any of its teeth. The 8 main differences between alligators and crocodiles. Alligators and crocodiles are fierce predators and have bite capacities that are profoundly dangerous, incredible dive times, and armor that keeps them safe from most any predator. Crocodiles hunt larger prey, such as sharks and large mammals such as buffaloes, apes, and even humans. Coming face to face with a crocodile or an alligator. An essay template and transition words reference sheet are also included, enabling students to effortlessly use the information from their ve. In contrast, when a crocodile has its mouth shut, its back teeth stick up over the top lip, showing off a toothy grin. The crocodiles slimmer snouts are flexible for fishhunting while the alligators are wider, giving them greater power to crush their food prey.
By jeanna bryner live science editorinchief 15 september 2012. Buy a comparative essay sample to compare and contrast two things. The alligators is broader and shaped like a u, whereas the crocodile s is longer and narrower and more vshaped. At first glance, if youve ever seen an alligator or crocodile, they may look very similar. In crocodiles, however, some teeth in the bottom jaw appear, most notably the large fourth tooth. The most obvious way to tell a crocodile, left, from an alligator, is from. Crocodiles are from the crocodylidae family, while alligators and caiman are from the alligatoridae family.
They are classified as reptiles because they have tough, scaly skin and are coldblooded. The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is. One of the most common questions alligator and crocodile researchers face today is what the differences are between the two. Learn about the similarities and differences between 25 sets of animals. Alligators are freshwater animals, while crocodiles live in saltwater.
Feb 4, to most people, alligators and crocodiles look pretty similar. How to tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator. Alligators and crocodiles are both relics of the dinosaur age, facing an uncertain future as humans encroach on their territory. Difference between crocodiles and alligators difference wiki. Hayden since alligators and crocodile are both reptiles they are often easily mistaken. What are the differences between alligators and crocodiles. In alligators its broad and ushaped, while in crocodiles its narrow and vshaped. Alligators are more hostile as compared to crocodiles, which is against the usual.
Here, visitors can see alligators and crocodiles, relics of the dinosaur age. The 8 main differences between alligators and crocodiles owlcation. While there are plenty of differences between alligators and crocodiles, there are also a lot of similarities. Its not that hard to tell an american alligator from a crocodile if you know what to look for. This is an excellent book to introduce children and adults to the differences between alligators and crocodiles. She makes an, often confusing, topic understandable through accurate illustrations, diagrams, and interesting writing.
Whats the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Crocodilian biology database faq whats the difference. Crocodiles are grayishgreen and prefer coastal, brackish and saltwater habitats. Many people have a hard time telling the difference between alligators and crocodiles. American alligator are not considered endangered species, but these harsh looking creatures are threatened. Alligators and crocodiles revised a great way to celebrate the alphabet is by focusing on a different animal each week, in alphabetical order, such as alligator, bear, cat, dog, etc. The book begins by playing on our fear of alligators and crocodiles, describing one of these giant reptiles gliding through the water, slowly appearing above the surface. However, each species is unique, and to list all the possible differences would be like comparing a jaguar with a lion. While they do share many of the same features, they couldnt be more different to a.
What are the differences between crocodilians from other. This version was created for students in grades 3 through 5. Students will enjoy comparing and contrasting alligators and crocodiles with these fun activities. The difference between alligators and crocodiles is often easy to spot once you get the hang of it. Many differences between the two reptiles center on their heads and. Comparing and contrasting alligators and crocodiles tpt. Pointbypoint compare and contrast essay sample guide alligators and crocodiles a journey back into prehistoric times is only as far away as the local zoo. Although these reptiles favor in physical features, there.
Alligators are dark colored with a broad, rounded snout and are usually found in fresh water. Found in asia, africa, central america, malaya, indonesia and north australia. This nonfiction text structure is compare and contrast. Crocodile live in freshwater, they can also live in salt water. Difference between alligators and crocodiles eleday. Both families come from the order crocodilians or crocodilia, so its not too surprising that they.
What are the differences between an alligator and a crocodile. This worksheet is recommended for students in kindergarten through 2nd grade. Start studying crocodiles and alligators compare and contrast. Use the internet and check out books from the library so your students can learn facts about these animals and then compare and. Crocodiles and alligators compare and contrast third grade. The alligator family includes the caiman, and the crocodile. Alligators and crocodiles essays crocodiles and alligators are two reptiles that are often mistaken for each other. Crocodiles and alligators are large, frightfullooking reptiles. Your students will use this product to record the facts and information that they learn about alligators and crocodiles. The first difference between a crocodile and an alligator is that they are from different families of crocodilians. In terms of aggression, an alligator might seem tame compared to a crocodile.
A storytime on alligators and crocodiles can give you the opportunity to demonstrate the difference between the two, with photos from simple nonfiction books. I hope by reading this you can now tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. Alligators and crocodiles by gail gibbons 2010 description. Mar 19, many differences between the two reptiles center on their heads and mouths, though they look remarkably similar, alligators and crocodiles. Another difference between alligators and crocodiles that can easily be noticed is the slight difference in their color. Its very possible that the alligators snout shape is different because of diet, especially breaking open turtle shells, whereas the crocodile s snout is more suited to hunting general prey including fish, reptiles, and mammals. Asked in alligators and crocodiles are crocodiles and alligators related to dinosaurs. Alligators and crocodiles are strong, agile creatures that have striking similarities, yet have differences. The most obvious difference comes from their appearances. Physical differences between alligators and crocodiles include their skin color, the shapes of their jaws and their teeth placement. In the case of alligators, the lower teeth are typically not visible when the mouth is shut. Are your students interested in learning about alligators and crocodiles. The main difference between crocodiles and alligators is that they belong to different scientific families, crocodylidae, and alligatoridae respectively. There is the american alligator and the chinese alligator.
925 546 1066 507 839 1198 592 544 683 1338 1138 722 1140 1165 686 1341 343 226 471 397 693 154 1249 817 1065 78 640 379