Okay, if I remember correctly, alligators have shorter and broader snouts than crocodiles. I know that the gharial has a long and slender snout because it needs to feed on fish, but what evolutionary pressures drove the alligator to have a shorter and broader jaw structure?
In: Biology
The alligators mouth shape makes them significantly better at cracking the shells of turtles and crustaceans (which is aided by their more conical teeth, specialized for crunching and crushing). While turtles are mostly found in the diet of large crocodiles, even a relatively small alligator can snack on a turtle.
Crocodiles on the other hand are very multi-purpose predators, although if you were to say that they have a specialty it’s grabbing prey (jn order to pull it down under water). A lot of crocodile teeth have ~~serrated~~sharp edges that helps them tear through prey.
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