The differences described above are apparent physical disparities between the three reptiles. They are wider for the alligator so it has a U shape along the bottom of it. Additionally, saltwater crocodiles can live for extended periods along the coast and venture into the ocean in search of food. The alligator and crocodile share more similarities than the gharial, which is distinguished by an elongated snout. Research shows that these receptors play a role in chemical reception and salinity detection. How Many Types Of Crocodiles Live In The World Today? Crocodiles have these sensors throughout the body, but alligators and gharials only have them in the jaw area. The jaw is adapted to maneuver quickly to catch fish, which is the primary part of  the gharial's diet. Alligators can only spend short periods in saline conditions and prefer freshwater bodies. There are 14 species of "true" crocodiles, in three genera; Crocodylus, Osteolaemus, Mecistops). It forms more of a V shape along the bottom of it. What Are The Differences Between Gharials, Crocodiles, And Alligators? Alligator vs Crocodile: Appearance All crocodilians have roughly the same physiology: a lizard-like body and a tough, scaly skin, with an elongated snout and tails (flattened sideways) . Alligators and caimans belong to the same family, alligatoridae, whereas crocodiles belong to a different family, crocodylidae. The most obvious external differences are visible in the head, with crocodiles having narrower and longer heads, with a more V-shaped than a U-shaped snout compared to alligators and caimans. While enjoying a dip in the ocean, there’s one thing you definitely don’t want to see: a shark fin in the water. They have four limbs (legs) that are small in comparison to their overall bodies; webbed toes; and ears, nostrils, and eyes that sit on top of their heads. 2. The snout is the biggest difference with the crocodile and the alligator. While they might look the same from afar, experienced biologists give us a few clues by which we can tell them apart. Gharials … By Victor Kiprop on November 4 2019 in Environment. Sometimes telling the difference between a caiman, an alligator and a crocodile can be difficult. Alligators and crocodiles have small sensory pits around the lower and upper jaws that detect pressure changes in water, which help locate and capture prey. Alligators have a wider upper jaw that overlaps the lower, and when the reptile closes its mouth, the teeth in the lower jaw fit perfectly in the sockets or depressions of the upper jaw. In contrast to alligators and caimans, when "true" crocodiles close their jaws the enlarged 4th tooth on the lower jaw rests in that notch, and its tip is clearly visible. Gharials are bigger than freshwater crocodiles and are smaller than saltwater crocodiles. They are all members of the class Reptilia and order Crocodilia, but belong to different families. Alligator vs. Crocodile ... aggressive even ancient Egyptian could tell different it from Nile crocodile .Cuban crocodile is very aggressive in alligator caiman are very ... place look at the gharial missing important feature in skull still strong enough to do the death roll or false gharial … Gharials , Gavialis gangeticus are the inhabitants of deep, fast flowing rivers. Mature females are 2.6–4.5 m (8 ft 6 in–14 ft 9 in) long, and males 3–6 m (9 ft 10 in–19 ft 8 in). Researchers believe that the animals share a common ancestral origin but are separated by over 40 million years of evolution. However, there are also innate differences, such as behavior. Gharials, sometimes called gavials, are a type of Asian crocodilian distinguished by their long, thin snouts. Gharial (Gavialis Gangeticus) Gharial or the fish eating crocodile is one of longest living crocodilians in the world, found in northern part of the Indian Subcontinent. Crocodiles, caiman, gavials, and alligators can be found in warm to tropical climates. In contrast, the term “crocodiles” refers only to the "true" crocodiles. The American Alligator is part of this Order of reptiles. The smallest species is the Cuvier's dwarf caiman (Paleosuchus palpebrosus), which grows to 1.2 to 1.5 m (3.9 to 4.9 ft) long. Imagine this, you are canoeing on a river during a sweltering afternoon, and you see what looks like a log floating around on murky waters. The gharial is critically endangered as a result of habitat loss, depletion of fish reserves, and entanglement in fishing nets. As nouns the difference between gavial and caiman is that gavial is a crocodile-like reptile with long, narrow jaws (species (taxlink)); one of two surviving members of the family (taxlink) while caiman is a relative of the alligator, of the genus caiman it resembles an alligator and a crocodile but smaller. The V-shaped snout of the crocodile does not match the strength of the alligator, but is capable of exerting a powerful bite. The Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) and Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii) have greatly elongated snouts. Difference between Caiman vs Alligator All maps, graphics, flags, photos and original descriptions © 2021 worldatlas.com. The Nile crocodile—four of which have been found in the state's swamps since 2000—are more dangerous than the native crocodiles and alligators, scientists say. Alligator is a different family. The gharial is a fish-eating reptile native to the freshwater rivers of the Indian subcontinent, and resembles a crocodile except for its elongated snout. This article aims to highlight the important differences between crocodile and gharial. It can hold its breath and stay underwater for a long time—more than half an hour. ' Fortunately, there are some external characteristics of the head that allow members of the three Families to be distinguished. This elongation has been achieved more by compacting the cranial part of the skull, at the rear, than by elongation of the whole head. This is a major distinction between "true" crocodiles and alligators and caimans. The gharial is critically endangered as a result of habitat loss, depletion of fish reserves, and entanglement in fishing nets. At present, there are 23 living species of Crocodilians that belong to three Families namely; Alligatoridae, Crocodylidae, and Gavialidae. There are two to three species caimán that share range overlap with the American crocodile, Cuban crocodile, and the Morelet's crocodile, but these are not places most readers likely visit. crocodile would eat them all and then caiman be all like "ima bust yo gut" and break out of crocodile's tummy. So, what are the differences between caimans, alligators, and crocodiles? Caiman vs. Crocodile vs. Alligator. 1. Freshwater crocodiles are the most aggressive of these reptiles, while alligators, saltwater crocodiles, and gharials are relatively docile. They are members of the order Crocodilia, which also includes Caimans, Gharials and alligator. The Gharial is … The salt glands make crocodiles and gharials more tolerant of saline water and can, and are therefore able to spend more time in the open ocean. Furthermore, it is sharply constricted or notched on the snout. Natural Habitat. Differences Between Crocodiles, Gharials, and Alligators Crocodilians, which include crocodiles, alligators, caimans, and gharials are the reptiles that first appeared on earth about 210 million years ago. When people talk about "alligators", they are referring to the American Alligator (Alligator mississippiensis). In the alligators and caimans, this tooth fits into a socket in the upper jaw when the jaws are closed, such that its tip is hidden. 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