Comparison and Difference Between Caiman and Alligator

Black Caiman and American Alligator both are two biggest extant members of Alligatoridae Family but found in two different habitats and geographic range. Alligatoridae crocodilia family only includes alligators and caimans and differ from crocodiles.

Caiman

Black Caiman is the largest predator of freshwater habitats in South America and also one of the biggest reptile in the Neotropical ecozone. Black caiman is a keystone species in the Amazon ecosystem and a very dangerous species to humans.

Family: Alligatoridae
Order: Crocodilia
Length: 16 ft
Habitat: Amazon Basin
Range: South America

Alligator

Alligators are apex predators of wetland and larger than the other extant alligator species. American Alligator is a large crocodilian reptile found in wild southeastern United States and Everglades National Park in Florida.

Family: Alligatoridae
Order: Crocodilia
Length: 15 ft
Habitat: Wetland
Range: United States

– Crocodile

Crocodiles are the largest species of aquatic reptiles, found in Africa, Asia, Americas and Australia. The crocodiles are more dangerous to humans than any other crocodylians and differ from Alligators and Caimans in head, pit, snouts and jaw.

Saltwater Crocodile
Nile Crocodile