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Welcome
to
"alligators
and
crocodiles."
This
page
by
Jerry
Wilkinson
Crocodilians
are
cold-blooded
relatively
ancient
reptiles
of
about
200
million
years.
Ancient
crocodilians
have
measured
over
60
feet
long.
Fortunately,
the
American
Alligator
is
well
on
the
way
to
recovery.
In
its
habitat
it
plays
important
roles
like
keeping
water
holes
open,
controls
rabid
raccoons
and
rattle
snakes
and
is
the
"watch
dog"
for
other
animals.
Unlike
the
American
Alligator,
the
American
Crocodile
is
an
endangered
species.
Its
nesting
sites
have
almost
been
eliminated.
They
are
not
as
bold
as
the
alligator.
The
rounded
or
shovel
shape
of
the
alligator's
head
versus
the
triangular
tapering
shape
of
the
crocodile
is
the
most
visual
distinguishing
features.
Both
generally
become
lighter
in
color
as
they
age.
The
crocodile's
teeth
can
usually
be
seen
even
with
its
mouth
closed.
A
couple
of
older
references
are
Alligators
and
Crocodiles
by
Laurie
Perrero,
1975
and
Wonders
of
Alligators
and
Crocodiles
by
Wyatt
Blassingame,
1973.
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