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Alligator: U-shaped snout.
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Crocodile: V-shaped snout.
I'm glad the Romans never had to deal with the difference though, since alligators are only found in the Americas [edit: and in the Yangtze River basin]. Otherwise this explanation would still fly over their heads. ("V? U? SIMILE SVNT, FVNGE PVTRIDE!")
alligators are only found in the Americas.
And China. Specifically the lower Yangtze River basin.
Fixed - thanks!
https://www.marylandzoo.org/animal/chinese-alligator/
I went looking for pictures, and now I want one as a pet.
So the way to remember which is which is to first know that crocodiles are found in what used to be Ancient Rome and their snout looks like they could write it with their letters. Got it.
That's a crocodile, they have pointy faces. Aligators are the ones with the wide snouts.
Which is weird because "alligator" starts with an A, which is pointy, while "crocodile" starts with a C, which is wide. This is a conspiracy to confuse the masses.
The Lizard People were just a front put up by our true archosaur rulers.
So alligators are the ones that look like ducks. Got it.
Someone call Kirk Cameron!
Crocodiles are the ones that eat full-grown adults.
Just say something like "big scaly pointy toothed thingy"
I think one easy way to remember is if you're somewhere where either one resides, you'll know about it.
"Help, I've been bitten by a poisonous snake"
pushes up glasses "I think you'll find that the snake is venomous, not poisonous"
"Good thing you didn't eat it."
Yep. Cedric was an idiot.