My friend saw something rad and sent me the best Snapchat I’ve ever received
@geekiemire Easy mistake to make if you are not super familiar with crocodilians but I can 100% guarantee you that is an American alligator on top and an American crocodile below. Notice how the one on top has a U shaped snout while the one on bottom is shaped like a V. The croc is also a paler tan color when compared to a gator. Their native ranges actually do overlap in southern Florida!
Lots of people don’t realize we actually have a native crocodile species here in North America and they’re not nearly as common as gators, so they’re much harder for folks to identify. The American crocodile is a very cool species though and worth looking into!
This indentation is also a key indicator of crocodile versus alligator! This is called the fourth tooth constriction, and it’s a space where a large tooth on the bottom sticks out. If you’re not sure on snout shape, or if you’re looking at a juvenile, this is what you want to use for identification.
