Crocodiles and Alligators

While there is a remnant population of American crocodiles in Florida they mostly live in Central and South America. Other crocodiles in the americas include the Orinoco crocodile in the northern regions of South America. As well as the Cuban crocodile which now resides solely in certain parts of Cuba although they once existed throughout the Caribbean.

There are some key differences between crocdiles and alligators. First of all alligators have a wider snout than crocodiles and crocodile's lower teeth protrude when their mouth is closed. Also alligators and crocodiles are different colors. While alligators are black crocodiles are a a brown or green type of color.

The American alligator is native to North America. Their habitat ranges from North Carolina to the southern tip of Florida and west into Texas. They live in freshwater ponds, rivers, and swamps although they have been known to venture outside those areas. The american alligator has been around since dinosaurs walked the earth. Nearly hunted into extinction for their leather-like hide in the 1800s alligators are now an endangered species.

Alligators play an important role in the life of the wetlands. Firs off is population control. Alligators eat everything. From fish and rodents to deer and bear. The size of a given alligator of course plays a role in what it eats. As an alligator grows it will hunt larger prey.

Alligators also create what is known as gator holes. They range in size depending upon the size of the alligator and how much space is desired. These holes are often made with a hidden chamber under a bank. The alligator creates these gator holes in order to survive droughts as well as the dry and winter seasons. They also help other creatures to survive those same seasons. This includes fish, insects, turtles, birds, and other animals.

As more of their natural habitat is being developed alligators are venturing more often into urban areas. This causes them to become an annoyance. The larger problem occurs when having been fed by humans they loose their fear of people and thus become a larger more dangerous threat and it is against the law.