One question I remember asking when I was a little boy was what the difference was between an alligator and a crocodile? The answer is they're different species and family groups. They look similar but Alligators have a shorter rounded mouth. Crocodiles have a longer pointed mouth and the teeth are still visible when their mouth is closed. There are probably many more other subtle differences between them, I think Alligators prefer to catch fish and crocodiles prefer to amdush animals while they're drinking. I think Crocodiles can live in salt water for a short time as well.
I think there are only two living species of aligator in the world today, American Alligators and Chinese Alligators. They crossed the baring land bridge to reach where they are. The Chinese Aligator looks very strange to me, they never show them on TV much.
I think Caiman are a part of the extended Alligator family, they're very small except for the Brazilian black Caiman, they can grow bigger than most crocodiles at 6 meters long and weigh more than 400kg but they still have Alligator like features.
This is what makes me different to my ancestors, I have instant access to unlimited knowledge about everything from my phone. I can ask it anything I don't know.
