Only South Florida Has Both Alligators and Crocodiles

There are 23 different species of crocodilians in the world, according to the U.S. National Park Service, and 2 of them are native to the United States. South Florida is the only place where both of these species coexist. The two are easy to confuse at first glance. The American crocodile has lighter skin and a narrower, triangular snout, and the fourth tooth on both sides of its lower jaw is visible when its mouth is closed. The American alligator is darker, with a broader snout. They also prefer different water. Alligators are typically found in freshwater habitats and are more numerous in Florida, while crocodiles are rare and secretive creatures of coastal, brackish and salt water. The Park Service notes that the Florida crocodile population has grown enough for its status to change from endangered to threatened.