Apex predators such as alligators and crocodiles are referred to as "apex predators." This implies they are at the top of their food chains and are critical for the habitat's biodiversity to remain intact. As is the case with apex predators (large cats, killer whales, and humans), these reptiles lack natural predators. Crocodiles and alligators, on the other hand, are not immune to hunting. As an example, when the mood (and hunger) strikes, huge cats such as tigers, lions, and jaguars have been known to hunt and devour crocodiles.
Crocodiles (subfamily Crocodylinae) or real crocodiles are enormous aquatic reptiles found in the tropics of Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia. Crocodylinae is a biological subfamily comprised entirely of real crocodiles. The name crocodile in its broadest definition, Crocodylidae, which includes Tomistoma, is not used in this article. The word crocodile refers to just those species that are members of the subfamily Crocodylinae. The name is sometimes used more broadly to refer to all current members of the order Crocodilia, which includes alligators and caimans (family Alligatoridae), gharials and false gharials (family Gavialidae), and all other Crocodylomorpha, both living and extinct.
While both alligators and crocodiles are members of the reptile order Crocodylia, their families are distinct. Crocodilians (members of the Crocodylia order) are classified into 23 different species, including these two. Crocodilians are 240 million years older than dinosaurs, 65 million years older. Crocodilians may live on land or water and are highly adept at hunting on both. They can swim up to 20 miles per hour (32 kilometers per hour) and run up to 11 miles per hour (17.6 kph). Crocodiles and alligators have the ability to hold their breath for up to an hour, and their muscular tails enable them to move quickly through water. Additionally, they have eyes atop their heads that let them to keep an eye out for prey. Their pupils have vertical slits that may enlarge to capture more light, providing them with superior night vision. Additionally, they have an enhanced sense of smell thanks to unique organs in their snouts, and their little slit ears are sensitive enough to hear their eggs' descendants.
Alligators have a long, pointed, u-shaped nose, while crocodiles have a long, pointed, v-shaped snout. Believe it or not, the form difference allows alligators to generate greater force from their jaws, which is advantageous for breaking open hard-shelled animals such as turtles. Alligators have a broad upper jaw, which conceals the teeth inside the mouth. Crocodiles are distinguished from alligators in this regard, since their upper and lower jaws are same in size, showing their teeth when they interlock, giving the appearance of a toothy smile. When looking at the form of the snout and the visibility of the teeth from a distance, itâs not difficult to determine the difference between an alligator and a crocodile.
