One example of hybridized species is the paleosuchus palpebrosus, which is a mix of the Cuvier’s dwarf crocodile and the smooth-fronted caiman. While they inhabit different geographic regions, they are still able to cross between habitats and hybridize. Both species come from the same family, Crocodylidae, and include over 14 subspecies. Both species spend most of their time in the water and are expert swimmers, but as they have evolved over time they have become adapted to their specific environments. Lastly, crocodiles typically prefer to live in saltwater habitats, such as estuaries and mangrove swamps, while alligators tend to inhabit freshwater habitats, including marshes, lakes, and rivers. Similarly, crocodiles typically have a more slender body shape with a long tail, while alligators have a bulkier appearance and a short, thick tail. Crocodiles typically have lighter colored, smoother scales compared to the rougher, darker scales of alligators. Alligators are usually much smaller, typically reaching lengths of 12-13 feet when fully grown.Īnother way to differentiate between the two species is by looking at the color and texture of their scales. This can be seen when observing both species side by side.Īdditionally, crocodiles tend to be much larger than alligators, with some species reaching lengths of up to 20 feet. A crocodile has a more pointed, V-shaped snout, while an alligator has a wider, U-shaped snout. The most notable difference between a crocodile and an alligator is the shape of their snouts. What’s the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? As the phrase has become popular in today’s vernacular, it has taken on a more casual and humorous connotation, allowing it to be used more often as a lighthearted and entertaining way to say goodbye. It dates back to the 1950s when it was popularized by American comedian June Foray on her show The Rocky and Bullwinkle Show. The phrase implies a friendly tone, as if the person is saying they hope to see the other person again in the future.

” It is typically used as a casual goodbye when a person is leaving, either for the rest of the day or a longer period. Later Gator is a slang phrase used to mean “See you later. However, if you are asking whether something happens inside or outside of the crocodile’s habitat, then the answer would be within. If you are asking if something happens before or after a crocodile does something, then the answer is after. It depends on the context of the sentence. Is it in a while crocodile or after while crocodile? It is good, lighthearted way to say goodbye, and expresses a sense of playfulness and good-bye that can’t be found in other farewell phrases. It is possible that the saying is a play on words using shortened versions of “crocodile” and “alligator”, but this has not been proved.Įither way, the saying has become popular and been used by generations of Americans all across the country. Some believe it may have originated from the Gullah language spoken by some of the African American communities on the Sea Islands in South Carolina and Georgia. The saying is thought to have been first used in the southern United States in the 1800s to 120s, but no one knows for sure.

Scott Fitzgerald’s short story, “The Diamond as Big as the Ritz”, published in 1922.

Although some have speculated that it was made popular by the 1950s Hank Cochen song “Gator Tails and Monkey Ribs”, the saying is known to have been used before that. The origin of the saying “See you later, alligator after while, crocodile” is somewhat of a mystery.

See ya later crocodile