| Many products today are made from alligator or | | | | quality of the leather can vary greatly depending |
| crocodile leather, from purses and shoes to | | | | upon the tanning process used and the body |
| custom leather dog collars. When trying to | | | | section of the donor animal from which the |
| determine whether alligator or crocodile leather is | | | | leather is taken. The most important |
| more superior leather or more luxurious, there are | | | | considerations tend to be softness, scale pattern, |
| many factors to consider before making a final | | | | and finish. |
| determination. | | | | For the most part, alligator skin is of a far greater |
| Generally, alligator leather is viewed as the nicer | | | | quality, with more symmetrical scale patterns, |
| and more luxurious leather, with more | | | | softer skin, and a smoother feel than crocodile |
| symmetrical scale patterns and a softer hide. | | | | skin. |
| Alligator has a smoother and more | | | | Most mislabeling occurs with the Brown Caiman, |
| "three-dimensional" feel than crocodile skin, and | | | | whose skins tend to be thinner, dryer, stiffer, and |
| alligator hides typically command the highest | | | | less durable due to less sophisticated tanning |
| prices. It is one of the most highly sought raw | | | | processes. For most products, the skin from the |
| materials by the manufacturers of luxury items. | | | | belly and throat areas is used because it provides |
| Although extremely rare, a very few number of | | | | the most symmetrical scale patterns, which are |
| crocodile skins can compare with the quality of | | | | rectangular in shape. Skin taken from the sides of |
| alligator hide. These would include "Nile crocodile" | | | | an animal will have scale patterns that are more |
| and Australian saltwater crocodile. When | | | | rounded in shape, and the hide can still be of a |
| processed and tanned correctly, these very rare | | | | high quality. The least desirable part of the animal |
| and expensive crocodile skins can meet or | | | | is the tail, which comprises approximately 50% of |
| exceed the luxuriant nature of alligator skin. | | | | the animal's length. Skin from this area is stiffer |
| Species of Reptiles | | | | with scales more widely spaced, and it is usually |
| There really is only one species of alligator, known | | | | heavily scarred. |
| as the American Alligator. In contrast, there are | | | | Size Matters |
| over a dozen species of crocodiles from all over | | | | The size of a skin can help distinguish genuine |
| the world. The most common is the Brown | | | | alligator from a caiman or croc. Alligator skins are |
| Caiman, which is found in Central and South | | | | generally six to 12 feet long, while caiman and |
| America. Generally, caiman skin is drier and stiffer | | | | most croc skins are only three to five feet long. |
| than alligator skin, and significantly less durable. | | | | With smaller donor animals, the transition of scale |
| Unfortunately, many items made from caiman | | | | patterns is evident even in small items such as a |
| skins are deceptively labeled as alligator products. | | | | wallet or purse. |
| Most species of crocodile are endangered and | | | | Scale patterns tend to correlate to the size of |
| therefore illegal to hunt and harvest for | | | | the animal. Therefore, hide from a full grown |
| commercial use, or at the very least their use is | | | | alligator may have scales that are over one inch |
| restricted by the Convention on International | | | | square and tend to be more symmetrical. |
| Trade in Endangered Species (CITES). | | | | Alligators Retain Superiority |
| When examined closely, crocodile or caiman skin | | | | In general, alligator skins are going to be softer, |
| will have small pits in the scales. These pits do not | | | | more supple, more durable, and provide a more |
| exist at all in genuine alligator products. | | | | uniform scale pattern than crocodile or caiman |
| A Comparison of the Leathers | | | | skins. Additionally, alligator is not an endangered or |
| At first glance, it can be very difficult to tell | | | | threatened species, so products manufactured |
| crocodile from alligator leather. They are similar in | | | | from genuine American alligator are maintaining an |
| a number of ways, and both will provide many | | | | environmentally friendly status as well. |
| years of useful service. However, the value and | | | | |