Alligators and crocodiles are reptiles! They are cold-blooded and have to regulate their body temperature with their surroundings. Alligators do this by cooling off in the shade or the water and warming up in the sun.

Alligators and crocodiles breathe air, just like humans! But, they spend most of their time in water. Sometimes they can hold their breath underwater for almost an hour!

Alligators and crocodiles, like most reptiles, lay eggs and their skin is covered with hard, dry scales. 

Alligators and crocodiles look a lot alike! However, there are ways to tell them apart.

First, look at the alligators snout. A snout is a nose. Alligators have a snout that is shaped like the letter U.

U-Shaped!

But a crocodile's snout is different. It is shaped like the letter V!

V-Shaped!

Be careful when alligators and crocodiles open their mouths... they have very strong jaws that bite down hard. They also have big, sharp teeth, yikes!

Snap!

When an alligator has its mouth shut, you can only see it's top teeth. When a crocodile has its mouth shut, you can see both it's top and bottom teeth. Can you see the difference?

Crocodile

Alligator

Alligators and crocodiles are carnivores. This means they eat meat. They will eat pretty much anything they can catch, like, fish, deer, frogs, birds and buffalo.

Despite all their sharp teeth, they don't chew their food. They use their teeth to tear off chunks and swallow them whole.