Saturday, April 14, 2007

Alligator 101

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Seeing the many posts here about our resident alligator (Al), my friend Rauf from India, sent me this photo of his oft seen neighbor, the crocodile.

For those of you still unclear about the differences between the two, this should make it easier:

- crocs live mostly in saltwater, gators in freshwater
- crocs are found in Asia, Africa, Americas and Australia, gators only in the USA and China
- crocs have pointy snouts, gators round
- crocs are aggressive, gators...well, look at that goofball Al, sunning himself like a contented cow, smelling the flowers, daydreaming of some hot lady alligator...

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But the biggest difference between them is their feeding behavior. If you were unfortunate enough to become their meal (hey, stuff happens!), the croc will rip you apart and feast on the pieces immediately, while the gator will grab you, drag you underwater and wedge you under a rock to marinate for a few days...He will be gentle not to make any teeth punctures in your body to prevent other gators from smelling your blood and stealing his stash...Alternatively, he can fold you and hold you in his mouth until you deteriorate to the point where he can swallow you whole. Lovely thought, isn't it?

And this entire post was sparked by the recent news item, where a Taiwanese veterinarian had his arm bit off by a crocodile. For the full story, and some (WARNING) gory pictures, click here.

Class dismissed!

27 comments:

The Wellspring said...

I just now got a chance to link to your Angel Trumpet photo - WOW! Those are huge!

Now I'm trying to summon the courage to click on the gory pictures link...here I go!!!!

~Lisa

The Wellspring said...

Coming back to say

"P U K E!!!!"

~Lisa

The Wellspring said...

p.s. You MUST get Chris to click on that link...I would like to know my brothers reaction. ;)

Kate said...

I think that information is just a lot of croc! Quite amazing info!! PS I answered your question on my blog about house tours.

Sally said...

Shivers! ihate these ugly lookign things (crocs too!) There's always some tourist getting too up close and personal with crocs in northern Australia. Some live to regret it.

Deb said...

Once again you have us laughing here in Minneapolis!
I'm also amused because our photos are side-by-side today (occasionally) in the DP portal-and it really looks like Al is desperate to reach into my photo for a snack....:)

Ming the Merciless said...

After that lesson on marinating and ripping, I don't think I will be eating desserts tonight. Eck!

But seriously, aside from the personal habits of the crocs and aligators, they look pretty much the same to me.

alice said...

I am not so jealous today...

Anonymous said...

The gator looks like he/she is asleep. I think this is a nice photograph of an animal I saw on the news the other day with a man's forearm in its mouth. And my wife told me the doctors were able to reattach it. Which meant the death of the gator. Did you see that?

Anonymous said...

In the news was the story of a woman walking her dog, a large black lab, when a gator took it and tried to go underwater. The woman went beserk, jumped in the water and began hitting the gator with a stick. Finally the gator released him.
Examining the dog later, not one scratch was found.
Creeeepy!

Anonymous said...

If either of these species made an appearance in Banhofstrasse, Zurich, despite the excellent info, I expect that in the heat of the moment positive identification would be deferred. (Mind you, there are some interesting looking shoes and handbags in the shops, but I'm sure they're not....)

Dsole said...

oh my... after clicking to the link I din't know what to say.... those animals are huge and I think I woulnd't like to be near them.... glups, have a nice weekened!

Chica, Cienna, and Cali said...

informative post with ur characteristic wit added in galore......:)There's another very fresh water close relative of theirs called "Gharial"..u can do a google search on them if u find time ..and the very mention of "gory " will keep me off that link!!!

blueboat said...

Yes Isabella, I think its safe to say that your beastie trumps mine!
I never thought I'd want to choose....but if I'm going to be eaten I hope it is by a croc rather than a gator!!

Nikon said...

It looks like a good place not to go swimming in.
Looks like you got pretty close to that gator :)

Fabrizio Zanelli said...

Very interesting to read about differences between the two. BTW if I were their meal I shouldn't mind too much to be a croc or gator meal :-)

Janet said...

Would y'all believe those alligators travel all the way up the Mobile River to the Alabama River and take up residence in Central Alabama? It is true, I am told, though I don't have a photo (yet) to prove it. But there is a trained gator "specialist" around here who on occasion coaxes the critters out of catfish ponds.

Kala said...

I always enjoy the things you write in your post! It brings a smile to my face and terror in my eyes as I witness the scary creatures lurking in Naples!! =P

Z said...

Hm, TMI? I wonder how long it'll be before the word 'marinating' will no longer remind me of you...

Anonymous said...

So when are you going to lure us on another hike to the waterfront, wear us out, so you can feed us to your 'gator buddies?

rauf said...

Isabella, you have scared away the readers from my blog, please assure your readers that this Croc prayes before his meal.

CaBaCuRl said...

No thanks, Isabella, i think i can do without clicking!! LOL! Have seen some H-U-G-E salties in northern Australia....they are the stuff of recurrent nightmares.

Nathalie H.D. said...

Gory indeed was the link. Glad you warned us.

I must show you the last time I saw a croc in Sydney.

Olivier said...

Waouhh....les photos sont superbes, mais les photos du lien sont vraiment impressionnantes....je sens que je vais arreter de me plaindre de mes pigeons


Waouhh….the photographs are superb, but the photographs of the bond are really impressive….I feel that I will stop feeling sorry for me of my pigeons

kuanyin333 said...

Hey Teach: mahalo for the details! I really like to know things, so I appreciate the time you took 'splaining things to us! Now I know I know exactly why I don't like alligators or crocs!

Oya said...

That was very informative. I was wondering about the diffrences between this two species. Good job Izzy, thank you ...

Eric said...

Very interesting and informative. I wonder where they pick up a box of alka-seltzer in the jungles, swamps and everglades?