Types of Crocodilians
Crocodiles, alligators, caimans and gharials all belong to one ancient family: the crocodilians. Their relatives walked with the dinosaurs! They are strong swimmers that hunt in rivers and swamps, with eyes and nostrils on top of their heads so they can hide almost fully underwater.
🔎 How to spot a crocodilian
A wide, rounded U-shaped snout usually means alligator; a narrower V-shaped snout usually means crocodile. The gharial's snout is super thin for catching fish.
12 Crocodilians to discover
American AlligatorAlligator mississippiensisBeginner
American CrocodileCrocodylus acutusMedium
Black CaimanMelanosuchus nigerChallenge
Dwarf CrocodileOsteolaemus tetraspisExpert
False GharialTomistoma schlegeliiExpert
Freshwater CrocodileCrocodylus johnstoniChallenge
GharialGavialis gangeticusChallenge
Mugger CrocodileCrocodylus palustrisChallenge
Nile CrocodileCrocodylus niloticusBeginner
Saltwater CrocodileCrocodylus porosusMedium
Spectacled CaimanCaiman crocodilusExpert
Yacare CaimanCaiman yacareExpert