Are alligators related to crocodiles?

Alligators and crocodiles are indeed related, both to each other and to the caiman. All are members in good standing of the Order Crocodilia (Owen, 1842). A link is provided.  more

The alligator who lives in the swamplands of Florida has 24 first cousins. We have a special name for all of these fellows, a fine, fancy name that means crocodile ¬type animals. They are the crocodilians. The alligator and the crocodile look for all the world like brothers, but if they were brothers they would not have different names. They are really cousins that are almost exactly alike. When you know just what to look for, you can tell which is which. Andy's readers enjoy this fascinating problem and one of his most popular questions is how to tell the difference between an alligator and a crocodile. An animal's features are the noticeable parts of his body, such as his nose and skin. The alligator and the crocodile have many features that are alike. The list of different features is very short. Let's begin with some of the look alike features on the longer list. Both of them are long and squatty fellows with scaly skins. Both ar£ cold blood ed reptiles that make their home in ...  more