Crocodiles and Alligators (Crocodylia)
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Glasgow Museums has a collection of 38 crocodilian specimens – crocodiles (Crocodylidae), alligators and caimans (Alligatoridae) and gharials (Gavialidae). These date from 1881 to 1996. This collection contains 19 mounted specimens, 13 specimens preserved in spirit, four skeleton or skull specimens, one cast and one egg. Many of these specimens have no information about their geographical origin, but those that do come from Burma (Myanmar), Australia, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, the United States and South America. The collection also contains several examples of crocodilian skins and products made from crocodilian skins, such as handbags, which were confiscated by HM Customs and Excise and later presented to Glasgow Museums. Crocodiles, alligators and gharials belong to separate families of crocodilians and are physically different. The most obvious differences relate to their heads. Crocodiles have long and narrow snouts, and the fourth tooth in their lower jaw is visible when their mouths are shut. Alligators have wider snouts, while gharials have distinctive snouts that are very long and narrow. Altogether, there are 23 living species, found in North and South America, Africa, the Middle East, South East Asia and Australia.
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