Many people often confuse crocodiles and alligators in speech, although the difference between them is quite substantial. You can distinguish the reptiles by the following features:

![89320918511f905088bb6e644be6c417.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbm9bwEfGeyvXmntcGcm4od99vZXsyTk3rXYxVps5j8cC/89320918511f905088bb6e644be6c417.jpg)

- Appearance. Crocodiles are larger than alligators, whose length rarely exceeds 4 meters.
- Muzzle. The crocodiles have a narrow and long muzzle, and the alligators are flattened and dull.
- The structure of the jaw. When it is closed at the crocodile, you see a large fourth tooth of the lower jaw. In the alligator, the upper jaw covers these teeth.

![6ddb3c5a47e49a1fa1fd6452cc188bc8.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmT4kPg8zLbrBQt5mcWbvHv1E7Gv7RBFWirHvK3bT7VB7A/6ddb3c5a47e49a1fa1fd6452cc188bc8.jpg)

- Sensors. Around the mouth of the alligator are black spots. They replace him with the sense of smell that he does not have. These specks are sensors. They alligator determines where the prey is, and moves towards it. But the crocodile has such spots all over the back.
- Habitat. Crocodiles are common in Africa, Asia, America and Australia. Alligators are found only in China and America.
- Habitat. Crocodiles are adapted to life in salty water, alligators live exclusively in fresh water.