Why do many people not know the difference between an alligator and a crocodile?

Even many people from South Louisiana who live near alligators don’t know the difference. They might look kind of similar, but they’re very different animals.

Gators have a broader and more rounded snout. The crocs have v-shaped snouts. Crocodiles are much, much more aggressive than alligators, and they are not scared of humans like alligators are. Crocodiles are also bigger than alligators.

Crocodiles can only live in tropical areas because they can’t tolerate cold weather. Alligators on the other hand can live in subtropical and temperature regions because they can tolerate more cold than crocs.