Fatal cases of crocodiles attacking people. Saltwater (salted) crocodile

It must be said right away that attacks by crocodiles on people are recorded where they live large reptiles. Of the 23 species, only 6 are considered dangerous. A mortal danger are represented by crocodiles with a length of 2.75 meters, since smaller individuals are not capable of killing an adult.

However, even the smallest species can inflict painful bites. They also pose a serious danger to children, since the size of the latter is similar to the size of the prey that small species feed on.

The greatest danger to people are Nile and saltwater crocodiles. The first is credited with hundreds deadly attacks south of the Sahara. The second is deadly for humans in Southeast Asia and Australia.

The American crocodile is less aggressive. There are only a few deaths involving him. The black caiman, which lives in the Amazon River basin, also poses a great danger. The American alligator is also responsible for the deaths. Moreover, most of his attacks were recorded in Florida.

It is extremely difficult to calculate the exact number of crocodile attacks on people per year. Many such places are in remote areas or in areas of political unrest. Local authorities do not always report such incidents, and some reports cannot be verified at all.

At the same time, such information is still collected. Thus, in Zimbabwe, over 10 months of 2005, 13 deaths were recorded, the culprits of which were toothy reptiles.

The Nile crocodile is considered the thunderstorm of Africa. It kills hundreds, maybe thousands, of people every year. Most attacks go unreported, but one researcher found that per year this type attacks 650-745 people. Of this number of attacks, 63% are fatal.

This is more than that of a saltwater crocodile. The latter accounts for 30 attacks per year, of which 50% are fatal. Based on all this, experts conclude that the Nile crocodile is the most dangerous predator for humans, not only among reptiles, but among all predatory animals on the planet.

Thus, attacks by crocodiles on people are quite common. But let's look at a few specific examples to get a more complete picture of this scourge. So in May 1992, an 18-year-old girl was killed by a crocodile on the Pelaban River in Malaysia. After this incident, the bloodthirsty reptile was shot. It turned out to be the largest and oldest ever found in the area.

In January 2001, several attacks on people were reported near the Neyyar reservoir in India. In this case, the culprits of the incidents were marsh crocodiles. They are impressive in size, but have never shown aggression towards people before. Experts suggested that among these reptiles a small group appeared with inappropriate behavior.

In October 2002 in national park A 23-year-old German student was killed by a cockatoo in Australia from the teeth of a crocodile. She was on a small pleasure boat with her sister and several other tourists. At some point, a huge crocodile appeared from the water. He grabbed the girl sitting at the side and dragged her into the depths.

In September 2005, a 37-year-old British engineer, while vacationing in Australia, was scuba diving near one of the beaches. He was attacked by a crocodile and the man died. The body of the unfortunate man was found.

In March 2006, a 68-year-old professor of medicine at the University of Washington was attacked by a crocodile on the Limpopo River. The professor came to Africa to treat people, but, being in wildlife, was killed by a huge reptile.

In February 2009, a 5-year-old boy was attacked by a reptile in northern Australia. Some time later, the police killed a crocodile near the scene of the tragedy, and the remains of a child were found in its stomach.

In September 2011, a 6-meter crocodile was killed by hunters and police in the southern Philippines. Before this, he had carried out several fatal attacks on people. In particular, he ate a farmer and a 12-year-old girl.

In May 2016, a 46-year-old woman and her 47-year-old close friend went to the beach in the Daintree National Park in Queensland (Australia) in the evening. The man had just recovered from cancer, and the couple was in a happy mood. People began to swim, but at some point a crocodile appeared from the water, grabbed the woman and dragged her away. The man could do nothing to help his girlfriend. The remains of the unfortunate woman were found in a dead 4-meter crocodile 3 days after the tragedy.

In September 2017, a 24-year-old journalist was killed by a reptile in Arugam Bay in Sri Lanka. A man was washing his hands near the water when he was unexpectedly attacked. The crocodile grabbed the journalist and dragged him into the water. The place where the attack took place is known for the largest population of toothy predators.

From the above examples it is clear that attacks by crocodiles on people are systemic. Therefore, extreme caution must be exercised in areas where dangerous reptiles live. Only in this case can you protect yourself from the terrible monsters that rule both river and sea waters.

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Illustration copyright Getty

Alligators are dangerous predators and they do attack people. However, as the observer found out, this rarely ends in the death of a person.

On June 15, 2016, a two-year-old boy was dragged underwater by an alligator in Orlando, Florida.

About 18 hours later, the boy's body was found "almost unharmed" in the water near the scene.

At a press conference, Orange County Sheriff Jerry Demings said this was the first such case in the region.

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After the tragedy, many began to think about how dangerous alligators are and whether it is worth visiting the places where they live.

We asked experts in the field to help assess the possible risks.

Illustration copyright Image caption Every year, about 7,000 alligators that pose a danger to the population are shot

There are only two species of alligators: the Chinese alligator, which is usually no more than 1.5 meters long, and the American alligator, which can be much longer.

It is logical to assume that alligators can live in any body of water in Florida

We don't know the size of the alligator that attacked a child in Florida. According to eyewitnesses, it could be from 1.2 to 2 meters in length, that is, relatively small.

The largest American alligator was discovered in Alabama in 2014. Its length was almost 4.5 meters.

Florida is home to a huge number of alligators. Thanks to the species conservation program, their number has reached one million.

American alligators live in all 67 counties of Florida, as well as in the other states of Louisiana, Mississippi and North Carolina.

Ecologist Lucas Nell from the University of Georgia in Athens, USA, has been observing alligators for many years. According to him, it is logical to assume that alligators can live in any body of water in Florida.

Indeed, these predators are found in most swamps and rivers.

But, despite their countless numbers, they very rarely attack people.

Illustration copyright Image caption Alligators were on the verge of extinction, but now their numbers have increased significantly

Lucas Nell explains that alligators are afraid of people. "They've been hunted since Europeans came to America, and they've been on the verge of extinction," he says.

In 2010, a study was conducted of all alligator attacks from 1928 to 2009.

It turned out that over such a long period in the United States, only 24 people died from the teeth of alligators, and most of them in Florida.

There are only 0.06 attacks per 100,000 people per year

There have only been a few reported fatal cases of an alligator attempting to eat its prey.

At the same time, “it is unknown whether an attack took place: a person could first drown, and only then fall into the teeth of a predator,” says the author scientific work Rick Langley of the Department of Health and social security North Carolina.

During the period indicated, Langley counted 567 " dangerous encounters" with predators that resulted in people being bitten.

About 260 victims required serious medical care, the rest escaped with minor injuries.

However, given total quantity For residents of a county so densely populated by alligators, it turns out that there are only 0.06 attacks per 100,000 people per year. This is a surprisingly low figure.

Illustration copyright Robert Burton US Fish Wildlife Service Image caption About five unprovoked alligator bites are reported in Florida each year.

Experts from the Crocodile Study Group at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) note that of the twenty-three species of crocodiles, only eight are prone to unprovoked attacks on people.

To these aggressive species also include American alligators (which belong to the order of crocodiles, but differ in appearance - Ed.).

Alligators are often less dangerous than crocodiles because they are more selective about their prey

However, according to the IUCN, attacks by American alligators are fatal in only 6% of cases.

Thus, the risk of dying from an alligator's teeth is very low, especially compared to the bloodthirsty Nile crocodile (63%) and saltwater crocodile (25-50%).

According to a database called CrocBITE, which records almost all crocodile attacks in the world, about 1,000 people are killed each year, with the vast majority of these deaths occurring in Africa.

Alligators are often less dangerous than crocodiles because they are more selective about their prey.

Illustration copyright US Fish Wildlife Service Image caption Alligators very rarely attack people

Burbeck College, University of London researcher Simon Pooley, who works with the IUCN Crocodile Study Group, says crocodiles eat anything that moves, including large mammals.

People are encroaching on the natural habitat of alligators, and therefore the paths of these two species of living creatures inevitably intersect

Alligators, on the contrary, rarely attack people, as they feed mainly on fish, birds, other reptiles and small mammals.

Unfortunately, children are often about the same size as small mammals, and therefore can become a victim of an alligator.

However, an alligator attack on a child is a fairly rare occurrence. According to 2010 data, attacks on children account for only 13.1%.

At the same time, Langley believes that alligator attacks may become more frequent as "both the human population and the size of the alligator population grow."

In many coastal areas, people encroach on the natural habitat of alligators, and therefore the paths of these two species inevitably cross.

Illustration copyright Steve Hillebrand US Fish Wildlife Service Image caption Alligators feed on small animals and birds

The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission receives about 16,000 complaints per year regarding alligators.

To coexist with large and dangerous predators, we must understand their behavior

Its staff can catch an alligator that is causing a nuisance to the local population if it is larger than 1.2 meters and "poses a threat to people, pets or property."

Smaller alligators are content with small prey and do not pose a threat unless a person provokes them.

In 2015, Commission staff captured 7,513 alligators. According to a 2014 report, 66% of nuisance alligators were eliminated "by lethal means."

Small alligators are usually simply taken to another location.

Both Pooley and Nell believe these attacks are easily preventable. But this means that you need to clearly understand all the risks and follow simple rules, developed by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Illustration copyright Steve Hillebrand US Fish Wildlife Service Image caption Alligators live in most swamps, rivers and lakes in Florida

Nell is convinced that people can live safely around alligators if they listen to common sense.

“To coexist with large, dangerous predators, we must understand their behavior and be extremely alert when in close proximity to them,” says Pooley.

Everyone should know the rules, especially visitors and tourists. This means giving people as much information as possible.

"I think people just don't know how widespread alligators are in this area, especially now," Pooley said. "Alligators are especially active this time of year."

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The worst attack of crocodiles on people in history occurred a few months before the end of World War II - on February 19, 1945.

Japanese don't go into the jungle

More than one thousand Japanese soldiers died in the terrible and terrible hot Burmese swamps.

The cause of mass death was not fierce battles with the enemy, but attacks by combed crocodiles, which are found in abundance in these places.

Operation Matador began on January 14, 1945. British troops from the 29th Indian infantry division- We landed on the almost paradise island of Ramri.

The goal of the operation was to capture the port and airfield located in the north of this Burmese island, captured by the Japanese army.

Of course, a Japanese garrison was already waiting for the British troops on Ramri. But the British attacked quite successfully, during land battles and with the support of ships, they gradually pushed the Japanese inland.

Captivity for salvation

The fighting only stopped on February 17, when the Japanese themselves went south to join the Allied forces.

The path there passed through a swampy area, and the British military did not have uniforms not only for fighting, but generally for being in such conditions. Therefore, the British did not pursue the enemy.

Although there is a well-founded version that they specifically allowed the Japanese garrison to retreat into these mangrove swamps. From the very beginning, Japanese soldiers there were regularly attacked by other enemies - snakes, mosquitoes, scorpions and other creatures.

However, on the night of February 19, they were attacked by a much more terrible large and terrible enemy - crocodiles. As a result, almost 1 thousand people were eaten by voracious reptiles in just one night.

Only 22 soldiers and three officers remained alive, whom the brave British immediately captured, to the great joy of the captives.

At night - only sounds

This was a terrible event for them, perhaps the worst of all such mass contacts with predators in the entire history of mankind.

At night, the surviving soldiers heard only terrible sounds, but the next morning a terrible picture appeared before them.

In the black slurry of the swamps, the bloody parts of the bodies of their comrades floated, which were pecked by vultures. It was clear that many of them were crushed or eaten alive.

This crocodile attack was included in the Guinness Book of Records, calling it the worst reptile disaster that has ever happened in the world.

By the way, combed crocodiles were already well known as the most aggressive and dangerous animals. They tear apart a buffalo's skull in a few seconds.

Humans are not part of the regular diet of alligators and crocodiles, but are often their victims. Crocodiles more dangerous than sharks and kill people 100 times more often. How to survive an attack by a crocodile and an alligator?

Many people are afraid of sharks, but underestimate the risks posed by crocodiles and alligators. There are significantly fewer fatalities from shark attacks. Crocodiles kill between 1,000 and 2,000 people a year. In Africa, statistics are poorly kept, so the exact number of deaths from reptiles is unknown.

What is the difference between a crocodile and an alligator?

Crocodiles are larger than alligators and more aggressive. They can reach up to 7 meters in length, while alligators are no more than 4 meters. Crocodiles have a long and narrow snout (V-shaped), while alligators have a flattened and blunt snout (U-shaped). Crocodiles can live in salt water, but alligators can only live in fresh water. Crocodiles live in Africa, Australia, America and Asia, and alligators live only in America and China.

Which crocodiles and alligators attack most often?

In first place, in terms of attacks, is the Nile crocodile. Dangerous combed, marsh and sharp-snouted crocodile. The black caiman also often attacks people.

Who is more dangerous, a crocodile or an alligator?

Alligators feed on fish, birds, turtles and other reptiles. They rarely consider humans as prey and attack only as a last resort. But not crocodiles. They already view a person as a victim and are very dangerous.

Which crocodiles and alligators are dangerous?

Mortal danger comes from any reptile over 1.5 meters and weighing more than 30 kg. The powerful jaw allows even small individuals to tear the prey into pieces and then eat.

When are crocodiles most dangerous?

90% of attacks on people occur between November and May. At this time, they guard their territory and protect young offspring. During this period, it is better to refrain from visiting reptile habitats.

Where can crocodiles attack?

Stay away from areas where reptiles live. 90% of attacks occur in or near water. Crocodiles prefer stagnant or slowly flowing water, where there is a lot of mud and dirt. Crocodiles can live in lakes, rivers, canals and even the sea.

How to avoid being attacked by a crocodile?

• Pay attention to signs that warn of the presence of dangerous reptiles.
• Do not swim in places where there is no designated swimming area. This can be a dangerous place.
• Do not walk your dog in areas where crocodiles may live.
• Don't let children walk near the water alone. Crocodiles prefer small targets.
• Do not pitch your tent closer than 50 meters from the water or less than 2 meters above the water.
• Don't lean over the water, because crocodiles can jump out of it.
• Don't go near a crocodile or alligator's nest.

At what time do crocodiles attack most often?

Crocodiles can attack at any time, but most often they act at night and at dusk. Stay away from the water and use a flashlight or headlights to illuminate the area.

What to do if you are in the water with a crocodile?

The boat capsized and I started swimming in dangerous place or fell into the water? Get out immediately. Don't scream, splash or flounder. This will attract the attention of crocodiles. Get out of the water as quickly as possible. You can dive and swim underwater to make less noise.

What to do if you spot a crocodile?

Did you notice a crocodile from afar? Remain calm and silently retreat to a safe place. Do not turn your back on the reptile, you may miss the moment when it decides to attack. Did the crocodile jump into the water when he saw your boat? Most likely, he himself got scared and wants to wait in the water until you disappear from sight. But it's better to swim away as quickly as possible.

How to run away from a crocodile?

If the distance between you is less than 5 meters, then you need to immediately and very quickly run away. Crocodiles are very fast, but only at short distances. You should not try to run away in zigzags, because crocodiles are much more agile, and your speed will be low. The speed of crocodiles is 17 km per hour on land, and humans can run faster. Run away as quickly as possible with all your might, but avoid bumping into another reptile.

The most vulnerable part of a crocodile is its eyes. Act depending on the situation. Hit them with your fist, kick them, press them with your fingers, or hit them with a stick.

Hit the crocodile in the nostrils when you can't reach the reptile's eyes. The nostrils are less sensitive, so hit as hard as possible. You can strike with your fist like a hammer.

Hit the crocodile on the vulnerable head, not on the strong body. Other people may hit him on the head with sticks to force him to let go of the victim.

Avoid getting your limbs into the reptile's mouth. If an arm or leg is inside, you need to act immediately. Behind the base of the tongue, in the depths of the mouth, there is a palatine valve. This valve prevents water from entering the throat when the crocodile opens its mouth. Try delivering powerful and painful blows to the valve to force the reptile to let go.

If you press the crocodile's muzzle to the ground, it will be more difficult for him to open it, but it is better not to try to do this.

Did a crocodile attack in the water, grab your leg or arm? Try to grab the palatal valve, which will cause water to enter. The crocodile will be forced to retreat. If a crocodile grabs you by the leg, try hitting him in the eyes with your foot or hands. This can be painful for the reptile.

Seek help immediately after a crocodile attack. This will avoid blood poisoning and fatal infections.

If you are attacked by a crocodile or alligator, then this is not the end. About 45% of the reptile's victims were able to survive after giving it a real fight.

To a large extent, man is the master of his environment and the likelihood of being attacked, let alone eaten, by a wild animal is a fairly rare event. This is certainly true for developed countries and no more. There are still a few creatures that are dominant even in America, and they are more than capable of eating the average person.

Oddly enough, it seems unfair to meet such large predators in some US states. Florida has all the predators: black bears, cougars, tigers and bull sharks, crocodiles and alligators. Given the proximity large quantity people's attitude towards these animals, it can be said that in general they are simply not really interested in us as a source of food.

It is estimated that there are more than a million alligators in Florida alone. They are found in each of Florida's 67 counties, with fewer in neighboring states. In Florida they say that where there is water, there can be alligators. These could be lakes, rivers, swamps or other bodies of water.

Can crocodiles attack people?

Given the number and proximity of alligators to humans, there are bound to be clashes between these species. Generally speaking, alligators are afraid of people because they have been hunted by humans for centuries to the point where they were almost wiped out. Also, humans aren't really on their menu. Alligators tend to look for simple options, when it comes to food, and will only settle for small animals such as fish, turtles and small animals.

However, alligators are opportunists. If food is close and the alligator is hungry, then it may well decide to attack, even if it is a person.

Of all 23 species of crocodiles and alligators, only 8 are known to attack people unprovoked. Unsurprisingly, the two biggest killers are the saltwater and Nile crocodile, but the American alligator (also known as the Mississippi alligator) is also on the list. While these reptiles kill hundreds of people every year, the number of people killed by alligators each year is estimated at just one.

There are several reasons why an alligator might attack a person. First, alligators will defend their nest if they believe their babies are in danger. There is also the possibility of mistaken identity, as well as the possibility that they may simply view the person as food. This is more likely for larger alligators, but it is also worth considering that an alligator is not likely to attack anything larger than itself.

Facts about alligators

There are actually two living species of alligators: the Chinese alligator ( Alligator sinensisAlligator mississippiensis). You can probably figure out where they meet! The American alligator is significantly larger than the Chinese alligator, in many cases up to 10 times larger. This means that the Chinese alligator poses little threat to humans and that is why we will only talk about the American alligator.

The alligator's name is believed to have come from early Spanish explorers of the Americas, who named these huge reptiles "el legarto", meaning "large lizard".

Where do alligators live?

American alligators are found in the southeastern states, primarily in Florida and Louisiana, but they are also found in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, the Carolinas and parts of Texas, Arkansas and Oklahoma.

Within their habitat, alligators live almost anywhere there is water, except the sea. This can be in ponds, lakes, swamps, wetlands and rivers. In addition, they also live in brackish water and can be found in estuaries and mangroves.

What do alligators eat?

In their environment, adult alligators are at the top of the list of predators. Their favorite prey is: turtles, big fish(eg), birds and various mammals that share their habitat, such as muskrat and nutria.

Alligators also hunt from ambush and can sometimes catch some pretty impressive prey. Not only can dogs be caught this way, but also... However, the hunt can go both ways.

How big do alligators get?

On average, alligators weigh about 360 kg (790 lb) and reach a length of 4 m (13 ft). Larger specimens can weigh over 450 kg (1,000 lb) and reach lengths of 4.4 m (14 ft). The largest alligator ever recorded was caught in the 1890s on Marsh Island in Louisiana, reaching 5.85 m (19 ft) in length. There is some doubt about the veracity of this claim and the next largest alligator was discovered in Alabama and reached a whopping 4.6 m (15 ft) in length.

How fast can an alligator move?

There are many myths and some confusion about how fast an alligator can move on land. You may have heard the numbers: over 40 km/h (25 mph), but that's not the whole story and is a bit exaggerated. It's about about the speed of a good sprinter for a short distance at most, but for an alligator the only time they reach that speed is when it makes its first dash of a few feet to catch its prey and take it by surprise. After this, the alligator is unlikely to reach more than 15 km/h (10 mph). Not only is it fairly easy to outrun (even without zig-zagging), but alligators are also known for not pursuing their prey if the initial ambush fails.

Water is theirs natural environment and here you will have no chance of swimming away from it, since they can swim with amazing maximum speed up to 30 km/h (20 mph).

How long do alligators live?

Although it is difficult to calculate the age of an alligator, studies have shown that on average they live between 30 and 50 years in the wild. Alligators in captivity have been known to live for over 80 years, as is the case with the alligator "Muja" at the Belgrade Zoo in Serbia, which has been there since 1937.

Can an alligator kill a person?

Photo. Happy alligator

Well, we think we've already answered that question. Any alligator reaching more than 2 m (6 ft) in length is potential danger for humans, especially in water, where they feel like masters. With an average size of 2.6 m (8.2 ft) for females and 3.4 m (11.2 ft) for males, most alligators pose a danger to humans.

Alligators, as predators, have a whole arsenal of formidable weapons, both offensive and defensive. Firstly, the main weapon used to kill an alligator is its jaws. They are lined with 74 to 80 conical teeth, each measuring up to 2.5 cm (inches) in length. The purpose of these teeth is to grab prey and prevent it from escaping.

The jaws of the American alligator are among the most powerful on the planet. In a study conducted by Dr. Greg Erickson of Florida State University in 2005, he was able to measure the bite force of an American alligator, which was the most powerful bite ever recorded. A 4 m (13 ft) long wild alligator bite produced a force of nearly 3,000 PSI (pounds per square inch), a factor of 3 stronger than the bite hyenas capable of crushing bones. While the record does not beat the bite force of a 5.5 m (17 ft) saltwater crocodile in 2012, which was 3,700 psi, it is still a formidable and powerful bite.

This means that not only is a large alligator capable of crushing skulls and ribcages and biting through limbs, but there is also no escape from it once it has grabbed its prey. All this serves to immobilize the prey, but killing usually occurs by drowning. Like their crocodiles relatives, alligators for large prey will use a "death spin" to gain control of it as well as tear it apart. Alligators and crocodiles do not have cutting teeth and therefore must tear apart any prey that is too large to swallow whole.

This method of attack requires great strength and the alligator has it. The tail is practically made of solid muscle and is where it generates its power.

The alligator can also use these hunting methods when in contact with people. While most fatal attacks have been in the water, large alligators have also been known to hunt on land. It has been established that at a depth of 50 m (170 ft) from the surface of the water, the animal is able to lie down in anticipation, it will be ready to lunge at lightning speed and capture almost everything that is nearby. This type of hunting usually occurs at night, so mistaken identity can lead to an actual attack on a person.

Photo. Alligator scale plates

Thus, the alligator is a finely honed killing machine. However, it would not have survived for about 180 million years unless it was very well protected. Like many others from the order of crocodiles, alligators are well protected, which makes them very difficult to reach even for firearms. The skin itself is very tough, but it is the actual armor on the back where the skin contains bony plates known as osteoderms.

How to survive an alligator attack?

Alligator attacks are very rare, even in Florida where there are many alligators and people. Maybe, the best way Survival means avoiding the attack itself in the first place. Take extra care in areas known to be home to these reptiles, this means avoiding swimming and avoiding the water's edge as alligators are ambush hunters and may lie low waiting for someone to catch you. who will pass by.

The danger zone for an alligator is about half its body length, in front and about 80 or 90 degrees on either side. This is the distance he can hit very quickly. If you are that close to an alligator, back off and run away. The idea of ​​"zig zagging" is a myth, just run in a straight line, straight away from the alligator.

The time of day is also important factor attacks by alligators, they hunt from dusk to dawn.

In the unlikely event that you are attacked, you need to make the alligator's life as difficult as possible. They are after light food they won't want to fight with you. Punch him in the face and press him in the eyes, this will make the alligator more likely to retreat. He may also try to intercept you for better control of your body and it is at this moment that you may have the opportunity to make your escape.

There are also good statistics: the vast majority of alligator attacks do not result in serious injury and very few are actually fatal.

Statistics on alligator attacks on people

Obviously, the alligator is in a different league among giant crocodiles, but statistics don't tell the whole story. About 60% of Nile crocodile attacks are fatal, but only 5% of alligator attacks result in death. Ten years ago, Florida averaged about 11 alligator attacks on people each year, but that number has been slowly creeping up. Actually for recent years On average, there is one fatal attack per year.

What is the difference between alligators and crocodiles

Some people notice it right away, and some notice it later! Ha ha ha! Bad jokes aside, there are several ways to tell these reptiles apart. First, it's worth asking yourself: "Am I in the southern United States (or on the Yangtze River)?" If the answer is no, then you almost certainly won't encounter an alligator.

Photo. Nile crocodile(Crocodylus niloticus)

Physically, these two crocodile species are very difficult to differentiate from the body below the neck, but there are major differences on the head. The classic way to distinguish them is by their teeth (from the side) when the mouth is closed, if you can see the upper and lower teeth protruding at the same time, then it is probably a crocodile. Alligators have wider upper jaws, thus overlapping and covering the lower teeth.

The shape of the mouth is also often key point. The alligator has a wider, U-shaped mouth compared to the thinner, V-shaped mouth of the crocodile.