I’m glad the Romans never had to deal with the difference though, since alligators are only found in the Americas [edit: and in the Yangtze River basin]. Otherwise this explanation would still fly over their heads. (“V? U? SIMILE SVNT, FVNGE PVTRIDE!”)
Alligator: U-shaped snout.
Crocodile: V-shaped snout.
I’m glad the Romans never had to deal with the difference though, since alligators are only found in the Americas [edit: and in the Yangtze River basin]. Otherwise this explanation would still fly over their heads. (“V? U? SIMILE SVNT, FVNGE PVTRIDE!”)