29th May Alligator Day

It's National Alligator Day! Not a day we need to celebrate in Australia because we do not have any alligators. We only have crocodiles! 

What's the difference between alligators and crocodiles?

1. Where they live. Alligators can live in colder places. Crocodiles are usually found in saltwater habitats while alligators prefer freshwater areas. 

2. Their size. Crocodiles are bigger. They can be 6 metres long. Alligators are shorter at 4 metres.

3. The shape of their mouth. Crocodiles have a very long V-shaped snout and alligators have a wide U-shaped snout.

4. Alligators can close their mouths without their upper teeth showing. Crocodiles teeth show when their mouths are closed.

5.  Colour. If it is grey or black it is probably an alligator. If it is olive or tan it's a crocodile.Crocodiles have a more powerful bite. Actually the strongest bite of any animal!

6. Crocodiles are more aggressive and have a more powerful bite. Actually the strongest bite of any animal!

American alligators are the biggest alligators and they inhabit the southern shores of the USA and the northern areas of South America.

Often children's non-fiction books combine alligators and crocodiles and outline these differences. A popular book Alligators and Crocodiles  by Gail Gibbons is about to be rereleased in a new updated version.

Alligators and Crocodiles by Tracy Read and Alligators and Crocodiles  by Laura Marsh combine the two as well.

Alligators and Crocodiles Can't Chew  by Thea Feldman is a good non-fiction read too! 

There is a surprisingly large collection of fiction picture books that feature alligators and crocodiles. Listed here are some alligator picture books that the library has:

• There's An Alligator Under My Bed  by Mercer Mayer

• Hooray for Amanda  and her Alligator!  by Mo Willems

• Snip Snap What's That?  by Mara Bergman and Nick Maland

• A Girl and her Gator by Sean Bryan and Tom Murphy

• Snappsy the Alligator by Julie Falatko and Tim Miller

• Gator, Gator, Gator! by Daniel Berstrom and Frann Preston-Gannon

• Gator by Randy Cecil

• See You Later, Alligator by Sally Hopgood and Emma Lever

• If You Ever Want to Bring an Alligator to School, Don't!  by Elise Parsley

• Zack's Alligator  by Shirley Mozelle and James Watts

• The Alligator's Smile and Other Poems  by Jane Yolen and Jason Stemple

• Alan's Big Scary Teeth by Jarvis

• Clive Eats Alligators by Alison Lester

When Australian children learn that there is no alligators in Australia, one of them always brings up the fact that Alison Lester, a well-loved Australian author illustrator that they all know has a book 'about alligators'!

• The Lady With the Alligator Purse  by Nadine Bernard Westcott

This book isn't strictly speaking about alligators but if you need a book that works a treat with young children this is one. I have the children role-play the parts and practise talking on the phone.