12 Alligator And Crocodile Coloring Pages Perfect For Reptile Fans
Do you know the difference between a crocodile and an alligator? It can be hard to distinguish the two, but one major giveaway is the head. Alligators have U-shaped faces that are on the short side. Crocodiles, on the other hand, have longer snouts. Interesting fact: They also have a different arrangement of teeth from alligators (there’s an alligator joke in there somewhere, we just know it). But both belong to the order Crocodilia. And, well, you’ll likely want to keep your distance from all crocodilians, as they’re a bit of a threat. But what’s not a threat? Alligator and crocodile coloring pages. In fact, our coloring pages can help you best appreciate these animals safely and respectfully. Plus, they’re a lot of fun!
Our collection of alligator and crocodile printables is also a great way to learn more about these remarkable reptiles. For instance, these creatures can live on average up to 75 years, which is pretty impressive for animals. Making it even more difficult to distinguish from the alligator is that there are 14 species of crocodile. From a coloring perspective, that’s great — as it’s always good to add variety to coloring activities.
Here are 10 fantastic free alligator and crocodile coloring pages for everyone in your family. If you’re still homeschooling, these would also be a fun way to help educate kids about reptiles. And if you want to keep rocking and rolling with the reptile lessons, you can move right along to our snake coloring pages, turtle coloring pages, and even dinosaur coloring pages.
Free Printable Crocodile Coloring Pages
Crocodile No. 1
Want to know how you can tell this guy is a crocodile? On alligators, the fourth tooth on either side of their lower jaw fits into an internal socket in the upper jaw, obscuring it. On crocodiles, the fourth tooth is always exposed — just like with this happy croc! Did you know alligators eat other alligators? According to a 2011 study about a Florida lake, they found that bigger alligators ate almost seven percent of the juvenile population each year.
Crocodile No. 2
The pattern on this croc makes us think it could be a saltwater crocodile. The biggest reptile in the world, saltwater crocs can reach lengths of more than 23 feet and weigh in at over a ton!
Crocodile No. 3
While saltwater crocodiles are the world’s largest reptile, the Nile crocodile is Africa’s largest crocodilian. They make their home throughout sub-Saharan Africa, the Nile Basin, and Madagascar, living in rivers, freshwater marshes, and mangrove swamps. Although, interestingly, scientists have discovered Nile crocodiles in the U.S. in southern parts of Florida.
Crocodile No. 4
You’ve heard the expression “crocodile tears,” right? As an idiom, it means a showy, false display of emotion. Perhaps it’s rooted in the fact that crocodiles “cry” — but it isn’t crying in the emotional sense. You see, they swallow too much air while gulping down their meals. That air puts pressure on the lachrymal glands (the glands that produce tears), causing tears to flow.
Crocodile No. 5
This crocodile seems perfectly content to bask its day away on land. As you may know, crocodiles are amphibious reptiles, meaning they live in water and on land. While it’s true that both the saltwater crocodile and American crocodile can swim out to sea, no living crocodilian species is 100 percent marine.
Crocodile No. 6
Most animals sweat, but isn’t it interesting that Crocodiles don’t? To cool down, they keep their mouths wide open, which is kind of like what dogs do when they pant. Some crocs even sleep with their mouths open to get rid of the heat.
Free Printable Alligator Coloring Pages
Alligator No. 1
This alligator looks modeled after various crocodilian Disney characters. Our favorite? The trumpet-playing New Orleans jazz alligator Louis from The Princess and the Frog. Since it seems like this guy is talking to someone, we suggest drawing in two frogs: Tiana and Prince Naveen. Did you know that alligators have antibiotic blood, which can be used to treat bacteria and viruses? So if an alligator lost a limb, they probably wouldn’t even get an infection because of how amazing their blood is!
Alligator No. 2
So far, this alligator has to be one of the sweetest. With a flower in its mouth, it looks like it’s ready to charm. Add a flower field where he may be roaming to make this picture even cuter. On land, alligators have two kinds of walks. The first, the “low walk,” is slow and sprawling. The second, the “high walk,” sees the alligator lift its belly off the ground. Fun fact: If an alligator ate a person, the human’s bones and body would take about 13 to 100 days to dissolve in the reptile’s belly.
Alligator No. 3
Are alligators and birds friends? Well, not really. These reptiles are carnivores, which may mean that he’s looking at that canary as a snack. Alligators have even been observed balancing sticks and branches on their heads to lure birds looking for good nesting material. Tricky! Curious about the other things that crocodiles eat? In the wild, they also feast on fish, frogs, and crustaceans.
Alligator No. 4
Check out the chompers on this fella! In general, alligators are quite toothy creatures. At any given time, they have between 74 and 80 teeth in their jaws. An alligator can go through an astonishing 2,000 teeth in its lifetime.
Alligator No. 5
If you see a group of alligators lounging together on a shore like these two, do you know what to call them? You’re about to find out! A group of alligators is known as a “congregation.”
Alligator No. 6
Alligators are scary smart. To catch birds they balance sticks and branches on their heads so birds swoop down for the nesting materials. It’s mind-blowing that alligators use props to capture prey. You can even make it a game for you and your little ones. Balance a stick on your heads and the first person to drop it, looses!
Click here to print all of the crocodilian coloring pages at once!
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