Alligators Vs. Crocodiles
While the alligator is closely related to the crocodile, the two animals have very distinct differences.

• Head Shape and Features - The most obvious way to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile is the shape of the head. Crocodiles has a narrower snout than alligators. In addition, crocodiles have teeth in the lower jaw that are visible when the mouth is shut. Only the upper teeth show when an alligator closes his snout. Another, more difficult, way to tell an alligator and crocodile apart is to look for the tongue. Alligators have tongues. Crocodiles do not.
• Color - Though many people associate alligators with the color green, adult alligators are actually black in color. Crocodiles, on the other hand, have a brownish color.
• Habitat – While both alligators and crocodiles can live in freshwater environments, only crocodiles can make their homes in salt water. Crocodiles, unlike alligators, have salt secreting glands that allow them to survive in this environment.
• Numbers – In the United States, there are many more alligators than crocodiles. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission estimates there could be as many as one million alligators in Florida alone. However, only a few hundred crocodiles remain in the United States, and they are all found in South Florida. For this reason, the government lists the crocodile as an endangered species, while the alligator is listed only as a species of special concern.

Photo by: Susan Grundner

Gator Holes
Alligators play an important role in the ecosystem. As top predators, they help control the number of rodents and other animals that might overrun a habitat. Gators also perform a unique service by building “gator holes.” These holes are created in wetland environments when an alligator uses its mouth and claws to uproot vegetation in an area. Once the space is cleared, the gator digs a hole by shoving its body into the mud and slashing its tail around. While the hole is usually underwater and barely visible during wet season, it becomes an invaluable resource during dry season. The gator hole stays full of water when everything else dries out. It becomes the only means of survival for the gator and other small animals, including fish, insects, crustaceans, snakes, turtles, and birds.

Mothering Instincts
When the female alligator is ready to lay her eggs, she builds a nest of vegetation, sticks, leaves and mud in a sheltered spot in or near the water. After she lays her 20 to 50 white eggs, she covers them with more vegetation. This vegetation gradually decomposes, producing heat in the process. This heat keeps the eggs warm. The female alligator will remain near the nest throughout the 65 day incubation period, defending the nest from predators. When the young hatch, they emit a high-pitched croaking sound which triggers the mother to start digging them out of the nest. The mother then carries the baby alligators to the water, where they separate into small groups or pods. These pods usually stay near the mother for about a year, if the mother remains in the area.

Resources for this article have been provided by Wikipedia and the US Fish and Wildlife Service.