| Crocodile | Alligator |
|---|---|
|
|
| Wins 66.60% of 1k fights | Wins 33.40% of 1k fights |
In nearly all cases, the Crocodile absolutely destroys the American Alligator. The FantasyBattle simulator ran 1000 hypothetical battles, and the Crocodile came out of top nearly 70 percent of the time.
Now, why are crocodiles stronger than alligator? Crocs are stronger because they have more muscle, are obscenely more aggressive, and hunt much larger prey.
Given their meal choices and the stiff competition they face for territory in certain parts of the globe, the crocodile has evolved some of the most impressive armory and strength in the animal kingdom.
Crocs and Gators look alike at first glance, but upon closer examination, it's clear that they are two very different beasts. Here is a quick summary of their primary differences.
Alligators have a shorter, more round snout than Crocodiles.
Considering the upper limits of their sizes, crocodiles are at least 50% longer and 100% heavier than Alligators.
Crocodiles are at least 50% longer and 100% heavier than Alligators.
Crocodiles are much more aggressive and, as a result, more deadly than Alligators to humans.
Alligators can tolerate much cooler temperatures than Crocodiles.
The only place you can find both gators and crocs in the wild is my home state, Florida. So, in theory, this would be the only place a fantasy brawl could take place.
Given the American Crocodile is significantly smaller than their African and Australian cousins, a fight with an Alligator would be a much more competitive bout.
The maximum size of an American Crocodile is about 16 feet, which is only 1 foot longer than an American Alligator at 15 feet. However, they can weigh nearly double as much as an American Alligator.
Simply put, Alligators seem to be far less territorial than Crocodiles, at least when it comes to humans. This is likely why there are far more unprovoked crocodile attacks than gator-related ones.
It sort of makes sense when you think about the different lives these animals lead. Alligators in Florida often cruise canals and other bodies of water where they almost certainly encounter humans.
They see us fishing, playing, and walking around from a distance. I imagine they can also tell we don't pose much of a physical threat to them, given how small and scrawny we are by comparison.
Crocodiles, on the other hand, are often found in much less densely populated areas like the Nile. Thus, humans may be seen as a potential threat or something tasty to eat.
Given the smaller size of American Crocodiles and their slightly more shy nature, you may be wondering how a American crocodile vs alligator bout would go. Well, fortunately for you, I ran that through my simulator as well.
Here are the main stats that will decide the fight and how the two American-based combatants stack up against each other.
| Category | Florida Alligator | Florida Crocodile | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bite Force (PSI) | 2,125 | 3,700 | Crocodile |
| Aggression | Low to Moderate | Moderate to High | Crocodile |
| Length (Feet) | Up to 15 | Up to 20 | Crocodile |
| Weight (Pounds) | Up to 1,000 | Up to 2,000 | Crocodile |
| Speed (Water, mph) | Up to 20 | Up to 20 | Tie |
As you can see, even the smaller, more meek, American variants wreck Alligaors give there superior size, power, and aggression. There are, however, a couple ways the Alligator can survive an encounter.
Crocodiles, like many cold-blooded animals, cannot tolerate cold well. Thus, they thrive in warmer climates that don't experience drastic seasonal weather changes.
American Alligaors, on the contrary can tolerate freezing water with ease. They live as far north as Mississipi where temperatures can plummet to below 0. Though this isn't a common occurrence, gators routinely have to content with 40 - 60 degree temperatures.
So, if the fight were to take place when Florida was experiencing a cold spell where temperatures dipped below 40 degrees, the crocodile might be in trouble!
Lactic acid is produced when muscles operate in the absence of enough oxygen, a common occurrence during the high-energy burst activities crocodiles use when ambushing prey. This anaerobic metabolism leads to a quick accumulation of lactic acid in their muscles.
The buildup of lactic acid can significantly impact a crocodile's performance by causing rapid muscle fatigue, which reduces its ability to sustain prolonged physical activity or intense fights.
Alligators, on the other hand, typically engage in less intense burst activities, leading to lower levels of lactic acid buildup in their muscles. This allows them to maintain performance levels for longer periods.
Therefore, in a scenario where endurance and sustained effort are critical, alligators may have a physiological advantage over crocodiles due to their more efficient energy management and lower susceptibility to lactic acid-induced fatigue.
Alligators have a unique adaptation that allows them to survive in cold water by slowing their metabolism and entering a state of brumation, thus conserving energy during lower temperatures.
This process enables them to survive in environments that occasionally experience freezing temperatures. Crocodiles, however, are less adapted to cold climates and can suffer from hypothermia if exposed to low temperatures for extended periods.
Their tropical and subtropical nature means prolonged exposure to cold can disrupt their bodily functions more severely than alligators, leading to potential lethargy or even mortality.
All things considered, the crocodile, both American and other variants come out on top against battles with alligators most of the time. Crocs are just far too large and aggressive for the otherwise formidable gator to overcome.
But, fret not, alligator fans, the dinosaur from the Florida swap lands has numerous other battles throughout my site. Check out Alligator vs Burmese Python and Alligator vs Caiman to see how he fares against other combatants!
Posted by: Matt Irving on 04/03/2024
