The main difference between an alligator and a crocodile is the shape of their noses (stouts). Alligators have a U-shaped nose and crocodiles have a V-shaped nose. There are also some amazing differences in each variety of species for each animal. Here is just ten of the world’s strangest, rarest and most unusual of the lot…
Slender Snouted Crocodile
10 – Mecistops cataphractus
While his snout is not as unusual as some of the others on this list it is still quite unusual. They are a medium-sized crocodile but can still grow up to 3 to 4 m (9.8 to 13.1 ft).
Desert Crocodile
9 – Crocodylus suchus
It was this species of crocodile that was most often found mummified inside Egyptian tombs and burial grounds. It is also the same species as seen on the Bust of Sobek, the Egyptian crocodile god!
Chinese Alligator
8 – Alligator sinensis
Believe it or not, there are only two known living species of alligator in the world! The first is the much larger American alligator (which we will come to see later) and this one the Chinese alligator which is much smaller and cuter looking.
Siamese Crocodile
7 – Crocodylus siamensis
The Siamese crocodile is considered one of the least studied and most critically endangered crocodilians in the world. Sadly it may already be too late to observe them in a natural environment.
[adinserter block=”7″]
Cuvier’s dwarf caiman
6 – Paleosuchus palpebrosus
While he might be the world’s smallest species of a crocodile at 1.2m fully grow they are still quite large.
Chinese Alligator
5 – Alligator sinensis
This rare prehistoric beast is one of the smallest Alligator species in the world. And also one with the cutest nose!
Leucistic Alligator
4 – Alligator mississippiensis
It is believed there are only 12 Leucistic Alligators in the whole world. Essentially this is just a normal Ameican Alligator that was born an albino.
Estuarine Crocodile
3 – Crocodylus porosus
While this photo has since been proved to be a trick of the camera angle rather than the actual size, some saltwater crocs can grow over 6 meters long! That is one extremely large crocodile.
[adinserter block=”8″]
African Dwarf Crocodile
2 – Osteolaemus tetraspis
He might look cute, but at 6ft long with a heavily armoured neck, back and tail he is also very dangerous.
Gavial Crocodile
1 – Gavialis gangeticus
The gharial is a rather long-nosed fish loving croc that is also one of the longest of all living crocodilians They can grow up to a massive 6.25 m (20.5 ft) long!