How to Draw an Alligator or Crocodile

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Learn how to draw a great looking Alligator with easy, step-by-step drawing instructions, and video tutorial.

By following the simple steps, you too can easily draw a perfect Alligator.

​Step by Step Instructions for Drawing​ an Alligator

How to Draw a Great Looking Alligator for Kids and Beginners - Step 1

How to Draw a Alligator Step 01

1. Begin by drawing two overlapping ovals, one smaller than the other. These shapes will form the alligator's head and body.

Easy Alligator Drawing - Step 2

How to Draw a Alligator Step 02

2. Connect the ovals on the bottom using a curved line, at the same time outlining the alligator's neck. Use a series of short curved lines to detail the top of the alligator's head within the smaller oval. Notice the larger curves that form the alligator's eye ridges.

Easy Alligator Drawing - Step 3

How to Draw a Alligator Step 03

3. Use small, overlapping curved lines to form the top of the alligator's snout, and a wavy line to form its underside. Then, use a long curved line to outline the bottom half of the alligator's jaw.

Easy Alligator Drawing - Step 4

How to Draw a Alligator Step 04

4. Extend two long, curved lines from the larger oval to form the alligator's tail. Notice that the lines meet in a sharp point.

Easy Alligator Drawing - Step 5

How to Draw a Alligator Step 05

5. Extend another pair of curved lines from the tip and side of the tail, allowing the lines to meet in a sharp point. This forms a bend in the tail and gives it a three-dimensional appearance.

Easy Alligator Drawing - Step 6

How to Draw a Alligator Step 06

6. Draw the legs. Use curved lines to outline the shoulder and hips, and well as the bent knees. Enclose the feet by using "U" shaped lines to form toes. At the tip of each toe, draw and shade a small triangle, indicating the claws.

Easy Alligator Drawing - Step 7

How to Draw a Alligator Step 07

7. Erase the guide lines left by the original ovals.

Add More Details to Your Alligator Picture - Step 8

How to Draw a Alligator Step 08

8. Detail the alligator's face. Use a long, curved line to enclose the opening of the mouth. Within the mouth, enclose an irregular shape to form the tongue. Draw a line down the center of the tongue, and sketch in four triangular teeth. Use curved lines to detail the nostril, the corner of the mouth, and the top of the snout. Enclose a rounded shape for each eye. Draw a circle to form the pupil, and a smaller circle within it. Shade between the two circles.

Complete the Outline of Your Alligator Drawing - Step 9

How to Draw a Alligator Step 09

9. Texture the alligator's body. Rib the belly with curved lines, and adorn the back and tail with ridges of shaded, triangle-shaped spikes.

Color Your Alligator Drawing

How to Draw a Alligator Step 10

Color your alligator. Most 'gators are green, brown, or grey in color. Baby alligators are black and yellow striped.

Give your crocodile or alligator a place to live, such as a river or the beach. Be sure to check out our other animal drawing guides.

For more great Safari Animals drawing tutorials, see the 31 Best Safari Animals Drawing Tutorials post.

Easy, step by step Alligator drawing tutorial
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Learn More About The Alligator Drawing

"See you later, alligator; after 'while, crocodile."
- 1950s rock and roll song by Bill Haley and His Comets

Alligators are large aquatic reptiles. There are two species of alligator, native to North America and China.

Alligators are carnivores, often living in rivers or streams. Their dark coloration helps them to blend into muddy waters. Alligators can hiss and even roar.

Scroll down for a downloadable PDF of this tutorial.

Alligators are also good parents. They build a nest and lay up to 60 eggs. The temperature of the nest determines the gender of the young.

The mother will look after the young for some time after they hatch.

Crocodiles and alligators look very similar; perhaps your drawing could pass for either. But do you know the difference between alligators and crocodiles?

To tell these animals apart, look at their snouts. Alligators have wide "U" shaped snouts, while crocodiles have narrow "V" shaped snouts.

Also, all of an alligator's bottom teeth will be hidden when its mouth is closed, while many of a crocodile's lower teeth - especially the large fourth tooth - remain visible.

Would you like to draw your own alligator? This easy, step-by-step alligator drawing tutorial is here to help.

All you will need is a pencil, a sheet of paper, and an eraser. You may also wish to color your finished drawing.

If you liked this drawing tutorial, see also the following guides: Husky drawing, Ocean drawing, and River drawing.

Alligator Drawing Tutorial - Easy & Fun Printable Pages

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