Compare And Contrast Crocodile And American Alligator

The American Crocodile and American Alligator are commonly mistaken for the same animal, however they have fundamentally different characteristics. Although there are many different species of alligators and crocodiles, the American Crocodile and American Alligator will be compared and contrasted to ensure a more precise comparison. Crocodiles and Alligators are both large, predatory, aquatic dwelling reptiles that are part of the same order of animals, named Crocodylia. The American Alligator and American Crocodile, although similar in appearance, have inherent characteristics that set them apart.
The physical characteristics of alligators and crocodiles are often confused because the two animals look very similar but do have distinct differences. …show more content…
Alligators are very sensitive to the changes in salinity, hydrology, and productivity of their ecosystems. Everglade restoration is a big part of keeping the alligators safe. Alligators control long-term vegetation dynamics in the wetlands by reducing the population of mammals. These animals would overgraze the Everglades and kill the marsh vegetation. Since these Alligators are such a big part of the environment, it may help to reduce coastal wetland losses in Louisiana. They also help protect water birds while they nest on islands in freshwater wetlands because they reduce the amount of predators that will reach the island by feeding on them. Wading birds seem to be attracted to heavily populated areas with Alligators because they feel protected. St. Augustine Farm in St. Augustine, Florida is a huge tourist spot to sight see Alligators. Tourists will see many birds because of the immense amount of Alligators. Alligators have been known to climb trees to bask in the sun if there is a small amount of shoreline. Crocodiles are also a huge part of this process and they protect the wetlands that they inhabit. Crocodiles are endangered in some areas because people have been poaching these animals for their hides. Pollution is also a big part of why these creatures are endangered; their habitats are being over ran by people, and these people leave trash, oil and other types of contaminates that can directly harm the Crocodiles or their food source. Commercial farming of Crocodiles has affected their population because farmers will remove the adult Crocodiles from their habitat in order to breed them for their own purpose. Crocodiles and Alligators are a big part of our environment and people have affected them and it has caused a reduction in their population. These animals are not known to attack people often, but it has happened. American Alligators are more