![]() Orinoco crocodile snouts are even narrower than those of most other crocodiles. The snout of an alligator is very flat and broad like a duck's bill while the snout of a crocodile is more narrow. Alligators in North Carolina however are often found in brackish water. Orinoco crocodiles live in freshwater. Many species of crocodiles prefer brackish or even saltwater habitats such as mangrove swamps, while alligators generally prefer fresh water. ![]() Even there, they live in different habitats. Crocodiles live in the tropics, in Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas. The only place where alligators and crocodiles are found together is the southern tip of Florida. There are 12 species of true crocodiles but only two species of alligators - one lives in the United States and the other in China. Alligators live much farther north than most crocodiles. Strict regulations, captive conservation breeding programs, and other strategic management enabled a dramatic increase in population. Alligators gained protected status in 1967. Once listed as a protected species, alligators were able to rebound. ![]() ![]() Their numbers declined rapidly due to illegal hunting, habitat loss, and black-market trade. North Carolina’s own native crocodilian species, the American alligator, was once close to the brink of extinction. Crocodiles and Alligators: Similarities and Differences ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |