When shopping for exotic reptile attire, consumers have two general choices: alligator and crocodile skins. These two options have many varying qualities, which affect the price and the level of desirability of the final product. Shopping for these skins can be quite confusing, because designers often fail to mark their products according to species, leaving shoppers to guess which type it is. Alligators and crocodiles are both members of the Crocodilian family, but the ranking and characteristic of their skins are very different. It is important for buyers to understand the differences in quality and value before making a purchase.
Reptile Species
The American alligator is the only species of alligator found on the planet. It is an endangered animal, and therefore, the hunting and harvesting of it for commercial use is illegal in most parts. On the other hand, there are more than a dozen crocodile species in the world. The most common species of crocs is the brown caiman.
Alligators exist in fresh water, and they have rounded snouts. Crocodiles reside in salt water, and they have pointed snouts. Their distinctive habitats are the reason for the major differences in the quality of their skins. However, regardless of the variations, both leathers are strong and used worldwide for making popular accessories.
Differences Between Alligator, Caiman, and Crocodile Skins
It is important to note that all skins, regardless of species, come in a variety of grades. Items such as seats, boots, hats, belts, and wallets use lesser grade skins. Designers reserve premium grades for jackets, handbags and other high-end accessories.
Alligator Skin
Alligators produce top of the line quality leather, and as a result, they have the most sought-after skin. This unique species lives only in a limited part of the United States, from Eastern Texas to Florida. Gator skin is expensive, due to its exceptional softness, firmness, texture, and better uniformity in scale pattern. For first-time buyers, it may be difficult to tell the difference between the two. However, if a croc bag and alligator purse sit next to each other, most buyers would lean towards the alligator item. They tend to look more expensive and of better quality.
One key difference between the two skins is that alligators possess umbilical scars on their bellies. The scar is normally located in the middle of their stomachs, and it appears as a cluster of triangular scales. Popular designers oftentimes display this unique design on a specific area of their final product, which helps to prove the authenticity of the leather.
Crocodile Skin
Crocodiles live all over the globe, but the most popular type of croc skin comes from the Nile crocodile. Porosus crocodile is the highest quality of the species and rivals gator skin. In fact, Porosus skin is sometimes more valued than that of the American alligator because of its extreme rarity.
Crocodiles have sensory organ pores. These pores contain a small hair that aids the animal in sensing its surroundings. After tanning the leather, tanners remove the hair, but the open pore remains behind. The pore appears as a tiny hole in each individual scale of the skin. This is perhaps the most distinct evidence that a buyer is dealing with croc skin. Crocodile scales also tend to be more oval-shaped than gator leather.
The Caiman
The caiman is a South American species of crocodiles known as the Colombian crocodile. This is a significant step down in quality, beauty, and value compared to American alligator and Porosus crocodile skin. Sellers often market caiman skin as "crocodile skin," which is misleading for buyers. However, it is quite easy to identify. The leather has pockmarks on the tiles, and they are concave in shape. The skin is drier and harder than the other options. These animals do not grow as big as other species, so the tiles are about half the size of alligators'. High-end clothing designers usually do not work with this skin.
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