How are alligators and crocodiles genetically different?

The DNA in alligators, crocodiles and gharials is about 93 percent identical across the genome. “The difference is that humans and macaques shared a common ancestor around 23 million years ago while alligators and crocodiles shared a common ancestor in the much more distant past, around 90 million years ago,” he said.

Why are crocodiles and alligators considered different species?

Alligators and crocodiles are from the same scientific order, but from different families. They are both members of the Crocodylia, but crocodiles are from the Crocodylidae family, while alligators come from the Alligatordae family.

What two qualities make alligators and crocodiles different from each other?

Crocodiles have long and pointed, V-shaped snouts while alligators have rounded, U-shaped snouts. Other differences include the shape of their jaws and hind legs. Their behavior is also starkly different, with crocs being more aggressive than gators.

Can you tell the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?

The easiest way to tell the difference between crocodiles and alligators is to look at their snouts. Alligators have a wide, rounded, “U”-shaped snouts with larger noses, whereas crocodiles have longer, thinner, pointed “V”-shaped snouts and smaller noses. Alligator snouts are also shorter than crocodile snouts.

Do crocodiles and alligators have the same ancestors?

The first alligator ancestors evolved some 245 million years ago. About 80 million years ago, during the Cretaceous period, crocodilians appeared. This group includes alligatoroids, such as Brachychampsa, as well as their close relatives the crocodiles and caimans.

Why are crocodiles and alligators so similar?

One obvious similarity between alligators and crocodiles is that both animals are reptiles. They are cold-blooded creatures that expend little energy when they move. They cannot regulate their own internal body temperature, and must rely on external heat sources such as the sun.

Are crocodiles and alligators convergent?

The first true crocodilians evolved 83.5 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. It’s so advantageous in fact, that animals that look and act like crocodiles have evolved time and time again throughout the evolutionary history of the earth. This phenomenon is called convergent evolution.

What animal is similar to a crocodile?

Caimans
caiman, also spelled cayman, any of several species of Central and South American reptiles that are related to alligators and are usually placed with them in the family Alligatoridae. Caimans, like all other members of the order Crocodylia (or Crocodilia), are amphibious carnivores.

Which is more dangerous an alligator or a crocodile?

The Crocodylidea family includes 23 different species, but the Alligatoridae contains only 2 – the alligator and the Caiman. Typically, crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators and as such, are more dangerous.

Which is better alligator or crocodile?

Crocodiles have a longer, more V-shaped head then alligators. The fourth tooth of a crocodile sticks out when its mouth is closed. Crocodiles are better adapted to living in seawater. Crocodiles are more aggressive than alligators. Crocodiles tend to have a lighter appearance than alligators.

What US states have alligators or crocodiles?

The United States is the only country in the world where alligators and crocodiles live side by side. American alligators are most commonly found in the southeastern United States , such as Florida, Louisiana, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Mississippi, and Texas.

What is the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

The alligator and the crocodile have a significant distinction in their snouts. The alligators have more of an elongated, narrower nose with a V-shape while the crocodiles are shorter but still quite long with their own backward-pointing shape that resembles half of a letter J.