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Home > Animals & Nature > Articles > Which moves faster, the alligator or the crocodile

Which moves faster, the alligator or the crocodile

00:00 Sun 29th Jul 2001 | Animals & Nature

saltwater crocodile

A. It depends on whether you talking about swimming or running. The group Crocodilians, which alligators and crocodiles are members of, has a unique method of locomotion for reptiles, they can even 'gallop' on land, planting their front feet, while bringing their hind legs around the outside and then lunging forward with their front legs. However, tales of out running racehorses are something of an exaggeration.


Crocodiles and alligators usually only gallop when threatened, as a means of making it to water where they're much more agile. Speeds of up to 15 kmph are possible, but it's a very energetic way of moving around for a reptile and cannot be sustained for any distance.


As for the comparative galloping speeds of alligators and crocodiles, differences between different sized species are much more recognisable, with the smaller species able to achieve faster short bursts than the larger ones, be they alligator or crocodile.


When it comes to their speed in water, where they're much more at home and agile, it appears that, rather sensibly, no-one has yet taken to the water with either of them to monitor it, let alone any difference between the two groups.


Q. How do crocodiles and alligators differ in appearance

A. An alligator is almost black with a blunt, rounded snout. A crocodile is olive green and has a narrow, tapered snout that reveals plenty of big teeth.


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by Lisa Cardy

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