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American alligator vs Lion

American alligator vs lion
American alligator is larger on weight
American alligator is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×.

An American alligator and a lion can be compared on 4 measures. The figures below are typical adult or full-size values, with the larger of the two in bold.

Side by side

Larger value in bold. Ranges reflect genuine variation, not uncertainty.
American alligator Lion
Weight 70–500 kg 120–250 kg
Length 2.6–4.6 m 1.6–2.5 m
Typical lifespan 35–70 yr 10–20 yr
Bite force 1,000–2,980 psi 650 psi

What the numbers say

  • American alligator is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×.
  • American alligator is 1.6× lion on length.
  • American alligator is 3.6× lion on typical lifespan.
  • American alligator is 3.3× lion on bite force.

Weight compared.

American alligator 70–500 kg
Lion 120–250 kg

American alligator

A broad-snouted crocodilian of the US Southeast, recovered from near-extinction to over a million animals.

Lion

The second-largest living cat and the only one that lives in permanent social groups.

This is a comparison of published measurements, nothing more. It describes how two things differ on measures that have been recorded; it does not predict how they would fare against each other in any situation.

Common questions

Which is bigger, American alligator or lion?
American alligator is somewhat greater than lion on weight — about 1.2×. Both figures are typical values; the full range for each is in the table above.
How do American alligators and lions compare on length?
American alligator: 2.6–4.6 m. Lion: 1.6–2.5 m. American alligator is 1.6× lion on length.
How do American alligators and lions compare on typical lifespan?
American alligator: 35–70 yr. Lion: 10–20 yr. American alligator is 3.6× lion on typical lifespan.

Related pages

Sources

  1. Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History — Smithsonian Institution
  2. Wikidata — Wikimedia Foundation (CC0 1.0)
  3. Typical range compiled from manufacturer specifications — At One Place

How these figures are compiled and checked