--- title: Comparing Alligator & Crocodile Skins description: Learn the basics of the most popular alligator and crocodile skins. Read more here! image: https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136361627-jpg/images/nile_croc_fotolia.jpg --- [**](https://www.instagram.com/panamleathers/) [**](https://www.facebook.com/panamleathers/) [**](https://twitter.com/panamleathers) [**](https://www.youtube.com/user/PanAmLeathersInc) [**](https://www.linkedin.com/company/pan-american-leathers-inc.) [** My Account](http://shop.panamleathers.com/account.php) [** My Cart](http://shop.panamleathers.com/account.php) [![Pan American Leathers, Inc.](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/hubfs/panam-logo-bw-padding-2x.jpg?width=152&height=104&name=panam-logo-bw-padding-2x.jpg "Pan American Leathers, Inc.")](https://www.panamleathers.com) # Exotic Leather Blog # Comparing Alligator & Crocodile Skins Posted by [Abram Mendal](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/author/abram-mendal) on Jun 25, 2015 1:50:00 AM - [Tweet](https://twitter.com/share) Are you about to embark on your next leather project, but aren't sure where to begin? Once you've made a decision on the *type* of clothing item or accessory you'll create, the next step is selecting the right *leather* to turn that idea into a reality. Depending on what you'll be creating, your needs and the size of your budget, you'll have to take into account several features when choosing the perfect animal skin. To help you make this step easier, we've broken down the essential qualities of the most popular alligator and crocodile skins — including the Nile crocodile, American croc, American alligator, Caiman, Saltwater croc and Siamese croc. # Nile Croc *![The Nile crocodile is one of the premier leather materials used for footwear, handbags and other leather products.](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136361627-jpg/images/nile_croc_fotolia.jpg?width=300&height=199&name=nile_croc_fotolia.jpg)**Native to:*** Africa ***Size:*** 13-15 feet — can reach up to 26 feet ***Quantity:*** 200,000 famed annually ***Fun fact(s): ***Often compared to American Alligator, but serves as the more affordable alternative ***Scales:*** Large & more square than round in shape ***Uses:*** Footwear (especially cowboy boots), handbags & belts # American Crocodile (Acutus) *![The American Crocodile (acutus) is the perfect alternative for a less expensive leather project.](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136361177-jpg/images/mad_crocs.jpg?width=366&height=242&name=mad_crocs.jpg)**Native to*****:** Central America & northern parts of South America* **Fun fact(s):*** - Largest reptile in the Americas, yet not permitted within the US - Narrow flank section & wide belly section ***Size:*** About 14 feet — can reach up to 25 feet ***Scales:*** small to medium size ***Uses:*** Zero bone content makes it perfect for *soft* leather projects — incl. jackets, pants & skirts # American Alligator *![American alligator is perfect for simpler projects like belts and small leather goods due to its soft and flexible hide.](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136360787-jpg/images/american_gator.jpg?width=325&height=223&name=american_gator.jpg)**Native to:*** American southeast ***Size:*** 8-10 feet — can reach up to 20 feet ***Quantity: ***200,000 farmed annually ***Fun fact(s):*** - 4th lower-jaw tooth placed *inside* their mouth - Almost faced extinction — but saved through "conservation through utilization" efforts ***Uses:*** Wide tail & flexible skin makes it easy for **watch-straps & footwear ** # Caiman Croc ![The Caiman is often compared to the skin of crocodiles, although their skin is softer and significantly less expensive.](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136362097-jpg/images/caiman_croc.jpg?width=335&height=222&name=caiman_croc.jpg)***Native to:*** Central America & northern South America (mostly Colombia) ***Size:*** 4-6 feet — can reach up to 8 feet ***Quantity:*** 600,000 farmed annually ***Scales:*** medium to large in size ***Fun fact(s):*** - Caiman is cut for its "hornback" (most crocs are cut almost exclusively for belly skin) - Contains relatively high bone content, making it rigid & harder to bend - More affordable than alligator or croc skins (due to bony nature & fragile skin) ***Uses:*** Cowboy boots, structured handbags # Saltwater Croc *![Saltwater crocodile leather](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136362627-jpg/images/saltwater_croc_tail.jpg?width=450&height=152&name=saltwater_croc_tail.jpg)**Native to:*** Southeast Asia & South Pacific ***Size:*** Between 13 and 15 feet — can reach up to 32 feet ***Quantity:*** 60,000 farmed annually ***Fun fact(s):*** - LARGEST reptile in the world - Belly has NO bone content ***Uses:*** High-end handbags & garments (due to its compelling tile pattern & no bone content) # Siamese Croc *![Siamese Crocodile](https://www.panamleathers.com/hs-fs/file-3136363162-jpg/images/siamese_croc_1.jpg?width=350&height=188&name=siamese_croc_1.jpg)**Native to:*** Southeast Asia ***Size:*** 7-8 feet — can reach up to 13 feet ***Quanitity:*** 60,000 farmed annually ***Fun fact(s):*** - NOT permitted in US or Europe - NO bone content - Often compared to American alligator (due to its supple feel & tiling ***Uses:*** Mostly handbags, accessories & footwear (products where Asian factories have strong expertise) [![Find what your looking for on our online store](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/152878/61ffeb06-ad82-47ce-9fd4-b0f79db91371.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/152878/61ffeb06-ad82-47ce-9fd4-b0f79db91371) Topics: [crocodile skin](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/crocodile-skin), [alligator skin](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/alligator-skin), [caiman skin](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/caiman-skin) ### Subscribe to Email Updates ### Posts by Topic - [alligator skin (65)](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/alligator-skin) - [crocodile skin (47)](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/crocodile-skin) - [python skin (45)](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/python-skin) - [footwear (34)](https://www.panamleathers.com/blog/topic/footwear) - 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