Do you know the difference between crocodiles and alligators?
I can never remember!
Both crocodiles and alligators are reptiles, and they are related! That is why they look so similar. They only have a couple of differences…
- Their snouts are different shapes! Alligators snouts are wide and U shaped, while crocodiles’s are more point and V shaped.
- When crocodiles mouths are shut, you can see some teeth poking out like they are smiling. Alligators do not show any teeth when their mouths are shut.
- Crocodiles like to live in saltwater, while alligators like freshwater marshes and lakes.
Photo by Jan Zikán on Unsplash 
Photo by Glenn Haertlein on Unsplash
Do either of these reptiles live near us?
Alligators and crocodiles can be found in America.
- Alligators live in the south east part of our country in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, Mississippi, South Carolina, and Texas.
- Crocodiles in America are found in southern Florida, where they live with Alligators!
Crocodiles and Alligators are both carnivores.
Do you remember what they means? Do carnivores eat meat or plants?
- Alligators are 10-15 feet long and weigh about 1,000 pounds!!
- Crocodiles are up to 15 feet long and weigh about 2,000 pounds!
Book readings
Julia reading The Selfish Crocodile:
Kayla reading If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, DON’T!:
Activity ideas
- Green art! Gather all of the green art materials you have… paint, paper, crayons, markers, pompons, scrap materials, etc. and create a crocodile, alligator, or whatever you want!
- if you have crocodile/alligator/reptile toys put them in bins of water with dirt or mud to create nice mucky environment for the reptiles to live and play.
- Journal: Would you want to have a pet alligator, like in the book? What would you do with it? What would you name it?