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Crocodile vs. Octopus: What's the Difference?

Edited by Huma Saeed || By Sawaira Riaz || Updated on September 18, 2023
A crocodile is a large, carnivorous reptile with a long snout and strong jaws, commonly found in freshwater habitats. An octopus is a soft-bodied, eight-armed mollusk that lives in saltwater environments and is known for its intelligence.

Key Differences

A crocodile is a member of the Crocodilia order, falling under the class of reptiles. They are large, carnivorous animals primarily residing in freshwater habitats like rivers, lakes, and swamps. On the other hand, an octopus belongs to the class Cephalopoda, under the phylum Mollusca. They are sea-dwelling creatures that inhabit oceans and are notably intelligent and agile.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
The anatomy of crocodiles and octopuses is distinctly different. Crocodiles have a tough, scaly skin and a V-shaped snout filled with sharp teeth. They are cold-blooded and rely on external factors to regulate their body temperature. Octopuses, conversely, have soft, malleable bodies with eight arms covered in suckers. They are known for their ability to change color and texture to blend in with their surroundings.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
When it comes to behavior, crocodiles are less flexible and generally more aggressive. They are apex predators in their habitats, feeding mainly on fish, birds, and mammals. Octopuses are opportunistic predators that eat a variety of sea creatures and have been known to exhibit problem-solving skills.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023
From a grammatical perspective, both "crocodile" and "octopus" function primarily as nouns. However, the plural form of crocodile is straightforward— "crocodiles," while the plural form of octopus can be either "octopuses" or the more technical "octopodes." In essence, crocodiles and octopuses are vastly different animals, inhabiting different ecosystems and possessing unique anatomical and behavioral traits.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023

Comparison Chart

Taxonomic Class

Reptilia
Cephalopoda
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Sep 18, 2023
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Habitat

Freshwater
Saltwater
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Sep 18, 2023

Body

Scaled, tough skin
Soft, malleable body
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Sep 18, 2023

Plural Form

Crocodiles
Octopuses or Octopodes
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Sep 18, 2023

Predatory Behavior

Less flexible, more aggressive
Opportunistic, exhibits intelligence
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023

Crocodile and Octopus Definitions

Crocodile

A freshwater-dwelling predator.
The crocodile lurked beneath the water's surface.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023
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Octopus

A member of the class Cephalopoda.
Octopuses are related to squids and cuttlefish.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023

Crocodile

An animal with tough, scaly skin.
The crocodile's skin is often used for leather goods.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023

Octopus

An intelligent sea creature.
The octopus solved the puzzle to get to its food.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

Crocodile

A large, carnivorous reptile with a long snout.
The crocodile sunned itself on the riverbank.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

Octopus

A soft-bodied ocean dweller.
The octopus squeezed through a narrow gap in the rocks.
Sara Rehman
Sep 18, 2023
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Crocodile

A member of the order Crocodilia.
Crocodiles are closely related to alligators.
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Sep 18, 2023

Octopus

A marine mollusk with eight arms.
The octopus camouflaged itself against the coral.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

Crocodile

Any of various large aquatic reptiles of the family Crocodylidae that are native to tropical and subtropical regions and have thick, armorlike skin and long tapering jaws.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Any of various carnivorous marine cephalopod mollusks chiefly of the family Octopodidae, having a soft body, eight arms with suckers, a large distinct head, and a mouth with a strong beak.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

A crocodilian reptile, such as an alligator, caiman, or gharial.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Something, such as a multinational corporation, that has many powerful, centrally controlled branches.
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Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

Leather made from crocodile skin.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Any of several marine molluscs of the family Octopodidae, having no internal or external protective shell or bone (unlike the nautilus, squid and cuttlefish) and eight arms each covered with suckers.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

Chiefly British A line of people, especially pupils or choir members, standing two abreast.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

(uncountable) The flesh of these marine molluscs eaten as food.
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Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

Any of the predatory amphibious reptiles of the family Crocodylidae; (loosely) a crocodilian, any species of the order Crocodilia, which also includes the alligators, caimans and gavials.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

An organization that has many powerful branches controlled from the centre.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

A long line or procession of people (especially children) walking together.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

To put (or attempt to put) one's fingers, hands or arms in many things or places at roughly the same time.
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Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

(logic) A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

To spread out in long arms or legs in many directions.
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Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

(intransitive) To speak one's native language at an Esperanto-language gathering, rather than Esperanto.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

To plug a large number of devices into a single electric outlet.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

A large reptile of the genus Crocodilus, of several species. They grow to the length of sixteen or eighteen feet, and inhabit the large rivers of Africa, Asia, and America. The eggs, laid in the sand, are hatched by the sun's heat. The best known species is that of the Nile (Crocodilus vulgaris, or Crocodilus Niloticus). The Florida crocodile (Crocodilus Americanus) is much less common than the alligator and has longer jaws. The name is also sometimes applied to the species of other related genera, as the gavial and the alligator.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

(by extension) To grow in use vastly beyond what was originally intended.
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Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

To hunt and catch octopuses.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

Large voracious aquatic reptile having a long snout with massive jaws and sharp teeth and a body covered with bony plates; of sluggish tropical waters
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

To behave like an octopus.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Crocodile

A reptile with strong jaws and sharp teeth.
The crocodile clamped down on its prey.
Sara Rehman
Sep 18, 2023

Octopus

A genus of eight-armed cephalopods, including numerous species, some of them of large size. See Devilfish.
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Any member of the genus Octopus.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Something resembling an octopus in having numerous controlling arms or branches that reach widely and influence many activities; - used mostly of organizations, such as diversified corporations.
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Tentacles of octopus prepared as food
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Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

Bottom-living cephalopod having a soft oval body with eight long tentacles
Sawaira Riaz
Apr 30, 2023

Octopus

An animal with the ability to change color.
The octopus turned red when it was alarmed.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023

FAQs

What is an Octopus?

An octopus is a marine mollusk with eight arms, known for its intelligence.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

Do Octopuses Have Bones?

No, octopuses do not have bones.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

How Many Arms Does an Octopus Have?

An octopus has eight arms.
Janet White
Sep 18, 2023

What do Octopuses Eat?

Octopuses eat a variety of sea creatures, including crabs and shellfish.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

What is a Crocodile?

A crocodile is a large, carnivorous reptile found mainly in freshwater habitats.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

How do Crocodiles and Octopuses Differ?

Crocodiles are reptiles in freshwater, while octopuses are mollusks in saltwater.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

How Intelligent is an Octopus?

Octopuses are known for their high intelligence and problem-solving skills.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

Can Octopuses Camouflage?

Yes, many octopuses can change color to blend in with their surroundings.
Sawaira Riaz
Sep 18, 2023

Are Crocodiles Cold-Blooded?

Yes, crocodiles are cold-blooded animals.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023

What do Crocodiles Eat?

Crocodiles mainly eat fish, birds, and mammals.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023

Are Crocodiles Social Animals?

Crocodiles are generally not social and can be territorial.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023

How Fast Can a Crocodile Run?

A crocodile can run up to 11 mph on land.
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023

What's the Plural of Octopus?

The plural can be "octopuses" or "octopodes."
Harlon Moss
Sep 18, 2023

What's the Plural of Crocodile?

The plural is "crocodiles."
Sara Rehman
Sep 18, 2023

Are Crocodiles Endangered?

Some species are endangered, but not all crocodiles are at risk.
Aimie Carlson
Sep 18, 2023
About Author
Written by
Sawaira Riaz
Sawaira is a dedicated content editor at difference.wiki, where she meticulously refines articles to ensure clarity and accuracy. With a keen eye for detail, she upholds the site's commitment to delivering insightful and precise content.
Edited by
Huma Saeed
Huma is a renowned researcher acclaimed for her innovative work in Difference Wiki. Her dedication has led to key breakthroughs, establishing her prominence in academia. Her contributions continually inspire and guide her field.

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