Crocodiles and alligators are ancient, formidable predators. While both are members of the order Crocodilia, their natural habitats typically keep them separated across the globe. The cohabitation of these powerful creatures in the wild is rare, making their shared home a subject of particular interest.
Their Usual Separate Homes
American alligators inhabit freshwater ecosystems across the southeastern United States, including ponds, marshes, rivers, lakes, and swamps. They thrive in temperate climates. Alligators have a low tolerance for saltwater, largely restricting them to inland, freshwater areas. They are abundant in states like Florida and Louisiana, preferring calmer, more contained bodies of water.
In contrast, crocodiles are found across tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, including parts of Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. Many species, including the American crocodile, are well-adapted to brackish and saltwater habitats like coastal mangroves, estuaries, and marine environments. Their specialized salt glands allow them to excrete excess salt, enabling them to tolerate saline conditions alligators cannot. Crocodiles are also more sensitive to cold temperatures, limiting their range to warmer climates.
The One Place They Share
Southern Florida is the only known place on Earth where American alligators and American crocodiles naturally coexist. This region, particularly the vast Everglades, serves as a shared habitat for these geographically distinct reptiles. The Everglades is a complex mosaic of ecosystems, characterized by a slow-moving “River of Grass” that flows from Lake Okeechobee southward.
The area provides varied water salinities necessary for both species to thrive. Freshwater from the northern Everglades mixes with saltwater from the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic Ocean in southern coastal regions. This creates a spectrum of aquatic environments, ranging from pure freshwater to brackish and full marine conditions. Everglades National Park, the Florida Keys, and coastal areas around Cape Coral exemplify locales in southern Florida where this cohabitation is observed.
Why They Can Coexist There
Alligators and crocodiles share territory in Florida due to a unique blend of habitat types and differing physiological tolerances. Florida’s subtropical climate offers consistently warm temperatures suitable for both species. The diverse aquatic landscape allows each reptile to occupy its preferred niche.
Alligators primarily use freshwater marshes and swamps inland, while American crocodiles inhabit brackish and saltwater estuaries and mangrove-lined coasts. This separation by water salinity minimizes direct competition for resources and territory. Alligators consume freshwater prey like turtles and fish, while crocodiles efficiently catch fish and other aquatic animals in saline habitats. Alligators also contribute to the ecosystem by creating “gator holes” that retain water during dry periods, benefiting other wildlife.
How to Tell Them Apart
Distinguishing alligators from crocodiles involves observing several key physical characteristics.
The most noticeable difference is snout shape: alligators have a broad, U-shaped snout, while crocodiles possess a more pointed, V-shaped snout.
Another distinguishing feature is tooth visibility when their mouths are closed. An alligator’s upper jaw is wider, concealing its lower teeth when shut. In contrast, a crocodile’s upper and lower jaws are roughly the same width, causing its large fourth lower tooth to remain visible.
Finally, alligators have darker, black, or grayish-green skin, while crocodiles are often lighter, appearing more greenish-brown or grayish-green.