Crocodiles and alligators are two different species. This means that they are unable to mate together to produce offspring. This is largely because the DNA counts of each animal are different. One way to tell if two animals can mate is to take a look at their latin names. If the first part of their latin name is the same then they can breed. For example a tiger or “panthera tigris” and a lion, “panthera leo” can breed and have a liger.
Brian says
I don’t dispute the statements above….but I do recall reading, back in the 70s, that Australian naturalist and wildlife park operator, David Fleay, reported that a female alligator in his care was killed by vandals and, subsequently, subjected to a post mortem examination.
If I remember correctly, he said the alligator was carrying a fertilised egg.
The only possible partner was a crocodile in an adjoining enclosure.
The story was that, earlier, the male crocodile had breached the dividing fence and spent a night in the alligator’s pen.
I cannot vouch for the facts, but that is the way I remember it. And I don’t recall what species the crocodile was.
I have been searching the Web for a reference without success.
Just wondering if anyone, here, has any knowledge of the matter.
scott says
She became pregnant through a process called parthogenisis. She wasn’t bred by the crocodile.