Lion vs. Alligator — What's the Difference?

The lion (Panthera leo) is a large felid of the genus Panthera native mainly to Africa. It has a muscular, deep-chested body, short, rounded head, round ears, and a hairy tuft at the end of its tail.

An alligator is a crocodilian in the genus Alligator of the family Alligatoridae. The two extant species are the American alligator (A. mississippiensis) and the Chinese alligator (A. sinensis).

A large carnivorous feline mammal (Panthera leo) of Africa and northwest India, having a short tawny coat, a tufted tail, and, in the male, a heavy mane around the neck and shoulders.

Either of two large semiaquatic reptiles, Alligator mississipiensis of the southeast United States or A. sinensis of China, having sharp teeth and powerful jaws. They differ from crocodiles in having a broader, shorter snout.

A mountain lion.

Leather made from the hide of one of these reptiles.

A very brave person.

A tool or fastener having strong, adjustable, often toothed jaws.

A person regarded as fierce or savage.

Either of two species of large amphibious reptile, Alligator mississippiensis or Alligator sinensis, in the genus Alligator within order Crocodilia, which have sharp teeth and very strong jaws and are native to the Americas and China, respectively.

A noted person; a celebrity

(paleontology) A member of the family Alligatoridae, which includes the caimans.

Lion See Leo.

(Nigeria) dwarf crocodile (Osteolaemus tetraspis)

A big cat, Panthera leo, native to Africa, India and formerly much of Europe.

(formerly) Applied to any species of crocodile.

(in particular) A male lion, as opposed to a lioness.

Any of various machines with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator.

(by extension) Any of various extant and extinct big cats, especially the mountain lion.

(metalworking) A form of squeezer for the puddle ball.

A Chinese foo dog.

(mining) A rock breaker.

An individual who shows strength and courage, attributes associated with the lion.

(printing) A kind of job press.

A famous person regarded with interest and curiosity.

Any of various vehicles that have relatively long, low noses in front of a cab or other, usually windowed, structure.

A light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion. en

(obsolete) One who binds or ties.

(historical) An old Scottish coin, with a lion on the obverse, worth 74 shillings.

To crack in a pattern resembling an alligator's skin.

Of the light brown color that resembles the fur of a lion.

Used in a common chronometric counting scheme, in which the speaker counts out loud, saying the word "alligator" between the numbers so that each number is spoken approximately one second after the last one.

A large carnivorous feline mammal (Panthera leo, formerly Felis leo), found in Southern Asia and in most parts of Africa, distinct varieties occurring in the different countries. The adult male, in most varieties, has a thick mane of long shaggy hair that adds to his apparent size, which is less than that of the largest tigers. The length, however, is sometimes eleven feet to the base of the tail. The color is a tawny yellow or yellowish brown; the mane is darker, and the terminal tuft of the tail is black. In one variety, called the maneless lion, the male has only a slight mane.

A large carnivorous reptile of the Crocodile family, peculiar to America. It has a shorter and broader snout than the crocodile, and the large teeth of the lower jaw shut into pits in the upper jaw, which has no marginal notches. Besides the common species of the southern United States, there are allied species in South America.

A sign and a constellation; Leo.

Any machine with strong jaws, one of which opens like the movable jaw of an alligator

An object of interest and curiosity, especially a person who is so regarded; as, he was quite a lion in London at that time.

To form shallow cracks in a reticulated pattern on the surface, or in a coating on the surface, of an object.

Large gregarious predatory feline of Africa and India having a tawny coat with a shaggy mane in the male

Leather made from alligator's hide

A celebrity who is lionized (much sought after)

Either of two amphibious reptiles related to crocodiles but with with shorter broader snouts

(astrology) a person who is born while the sun is in Leo

Of paint, varnish, or the like: to crack and acquire the appearance of alligator hide, as from weathering or improper application

The fifth sign of the zodiac; the sun is in this sign from about July 23 to August 22