Their webbed back feet have only 4 toes, which help them steer in the water. Alligators are armed with 80 potentially lethal teeth, shaped like cones, making them perfect for both grabbing and holding onto prey. Below each tooth is a replacement tooth that will appear when the primary tooth gets damaged or worn. The alligator diet consists mostly of fish, turtles and snakes, although they have been known to strike an occasional small deer, wading bird, raccoon or even small pets. To tell them apart, most people look at the snout.
Alligators have a broad and short snout in comparison to the crocodile's long and pointed one.
Alligators spend most of their lives in fresh water and need subtropical climates in which to survive, whereas most crocodiles thrive in tropical climates in brackish or saltwater environments, such as parts of Africa, South America, southeastern Asia and Australia. As the sun becomes stronger midday, alligators retreat to the water to prevent overheating. Then, they bask in the late afternoon sun before returning to their sanctuary in the water overnight. The mother alligator is always nearby, guarding her eggs from other predators. Amazingly, when she hears the hatchlings emerging from their shells, she digs them out and carries them in her powerful jaw out to the water.