Alligators are large reptiles known for stalking their prey from the water and delivering a vicious assault. They are hardly the smartest animals alive. Yet, what they lack in wisdom, they make up for with ferocity and hardiness. These reptiles have a limited range, so they do not live everywhere in the world. Are there alligators in Africa? If so, where do they live? This article will show you if alligators live in Africa along with what relatives live in the region as well.
About the Two Species of Alligator
Chinese alligators have scutes on their bellies, something American alligators lack.
©iStock.com/zhnger
Two species of alligators exist in the world today. They are the American alligator and the Chinese alligator. As its name suggests, the American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis) lives in the Americas, and the Chinese alligator (Alligator sinensis) lives in China.
| American Alligator | Chinese Alligator | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Length: 8 to 15 feet Weight: 400 to 800 pounds | Length: 4 to 7 feet Weight: 80 to 100 pounds |
| Location | – Southeastern and Southern United States – Rare sightings south in the Gulf of Mexico, near Mexico. | – Found in the lower Yangtze River area |
| Morphology | – Thinner head relative to body size. – Flatter snout compared to the Chinese Alligator. – Largest alligator body. – Lacks scutes on the stomach. – Can be gray, brown, and almost black but has a light underside. | – Has an upturned snout. – Has a larger, thicker head than the American variant – Possess scutes all over its body, including its stomach – Black or dark green colors. |
| Habitat | – Swamps, lakes, ponds, rivers, and other freshwater areas – Have limited tolerance for saltwater. – Can be found in brackish water. | – Freshwater areas in the Yangtze River basin. – Prefer rivers and streams, but also live in lakes and even flooded agricultural areas. |
The American alligator lives in the southern and southeastern parts of the United States. Typically, they live from the Carolinas all the way down the coast to Texas. However, they are rarely seen farther south to Mexico. Chinese alligators only live in the lower Yangtze River.
Comparing the Two Alligators
American alligators are far larger than Chinese alligators, growing up to 800 pounds and 15 feet long compared to 7 feet and 100 pounds for the Chinese alligators.
Although it is a larger creature, the American alligator has a smaller head relative to its body than the Chinese alligator. Furthermore, the American variant lacks scutes, reinforced skin, on its belly. The Chinese alligator has an upturned snout, but the American alligator has a flatter, wider, u-shaped snout.
The Chinese alligator is dark in color, typically a darker shade of green or almost black. The American alligator can be brown, gray, and nearly black, but they have a light, creamy underside.
The American alligator is only somewhat tolerant of brackish water, but it prefers freshwater habitats. The Chinese alligator prefers fresh water. The American alligator is more widespread than the Chinese species and has a range that includes thousands of miles. These differences and similarities help us distinguish the species.Â
Are There Alligators in Africa?
Nile crocodiles are apex predators in Africa.
©diegooscar01/Shutterstock.com
No, there are no alligators in Africa since they are limited to the Americas and a very small portion of China. However, a member of the same order to which alligators belong, Crocodilia, does live in Africa. They are commonly known as crocodiles. Â
Two of the most famous species of crocodiles that live in Africa include the Nile crocodile and the West African crocodile. These creatures are far larger than alligators. The average Nile crocodile weighs anywhere from 500 to 1,650 pounds and grows from 16 to 20 feet long. These reptiles regularly take large prey including zebras, cattle, and even water buffalo.
These creatures are powerful and fearsome. Although alligators and crocodiles are related to one another, they still have many differences that set them apart.
How Are Alligators and Crocodiles Different?
Several major differences exist between alligators vs. crocodiles. Although they may have a similar look, at least six ways exist to tell them apart from one another. Consult the following chart to see the ways these reptiles are unique.
| Alligator | Crocodile | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | Length: 8.2 to 11.2 feet long Weight: 400 to 800 pounds | Length: 10 to 20 feet long Weight: 300 to 2,000 pounds depending on the species |
| Color | Dark gray, black, and brown with a light underside | Mottled olive green, light brown, brown, gray, and more. |
| Jaws | – Has a larger upper jaw that overlaps the lower jaw, hiding its lower teeth. | – Upper and lower jaw fit together since they are about the same size – Their teeth interdigitate, so their lower and upper teeth overlap. |
| Snout | U-shaped | V-shaped |
| Feet | Possess webbed feet | Have a fringe on their feet for swimming, but not entirely webbed |
| Teeth | Usually possess 80 teeth | Have about 66 teeth |
Also, crocodiles have a far greater tolerance for saltwater compared to alligators. These differences make it clear that while the animals are similar, they have many noticeable differences that even a layperson can use to tell them apart. Just don’t try to count their teeth as a way to determine which creature you’re seeing. Consider the location of the animal first and then work from there.
Do Crocodiles Live Outside of Africa?
Saltwater crocodiles are the largest species of crocodile.
©Firepac/Shutterstock.com
Yes, several species of crocodile live outside of Africa. The largest of all crocodile species, the saltwater crocodile, lives in India, Southeast Asia, and parts of Australia. The American crocodile also lives outside of Africa, and it’s found throughout the coastal regions of northern South America, throughout Central America, on major islands like Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic, and even the southern reaches of Florida in the United States.
These creatures can reach weights between 380 and 1,100 pounds or even more. Their maximum weight is about 2,000 pounds. They can also grow between 9.5 to 20 feet in length, making them one of the biggest crocodile species in the world. Many other members of the Crocodilia order live throughout the world, but they’re not considered true alligators or true crocodiles.
So, are there alligators in Africa? No, but crocodiles live there, and they are far larger and more dangerous. Furthermore, crocodiles are not limited to Africa. They are widespread throughout the world. They live in the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Americas. These creatures are dangerous to many animals as well as humans. Their size, ability to attack from the water, and surprising speed give them an advantage when hunting that few creatures can counter.
