Chicken vs. Crocodile: What's the Difference?
Edited by Janet White || By Harlon Moss || Updated on November 9, 2023
Chicken is a bird commonly raised for meat and eggs, while a crocodile is a large aquatic reptile known for its predatory nature.
Key Differences
Chickens are domesticated fowl known for their meat and eggs and are a common feature in many agricultural settings. Crocodiles are large, carnivorous reptiles that live in rivers and lakes. Chickens have a widespread presence across various cultures as both livestock and pets, while crocodiles are often found in the wild and are sometimes conserved in zoos.
Chickens are characterized by their feathers, beaks, and ability to lay eggs. They are also known for their social behavior, often living in flocks. Crocodiles, recognizable by their scaly skin, powerful jaws, and aquatic adaptations, tend to be more solitary, although they can be seen in groups during the breeding season.
In culinary contexts, chicken is a staple protein source around the world and can be prepared in countless ways. Crocodile meat is considered exotic in many cultures and is less commonly found on menus. Chickens are also part of the cultural lexicon, symbolizing cowardice in some contexts, while crocodiles are often associated with strength and ferocity.
When it comes to their role in the ecosystem, chickens contribute to it through egg production, meat, and as part of the food chain on farms. Crocodiles are apex predators in their habitats, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their ecosystems. Both animals have been subject to various environmental pressures, with chickens being bred for agriculture and crocodiles facing habitat loss and hunting.
Chickens have been genetically modified and selectively bred for various traits such as egg-laying capacity and growth rate. Crocodiles, however, are protected by conservation efforts and have not been subjected to such extensive genetic manipulation, focusing instead on maintaining their natural populations.
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Comparison Chart
Classification
Bird
Reptile
Habitat
Farms, backyards
Rivers, wetlands
Behavior
Social, living in flocks
Solitary, except during breeding
Diet
Omnivorous, grains, and insects
Carnivorous, fish, and mammals
Cultural Symbolism
Often signifies cowardice or domesticity
Symbolizes strength, patience, or danger
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Chicken and Crocodile Definitions
Chicken
A game where two people drive towards each other on a collision course.
The teenagers played chicken in their cars.
Crocodile
A large predatory semi-aquatic reptile with a long snout.
A crocodile basked on the riverbank.
Chicken
A domesticated bird raised for its meat and eggs.
We have fresh chicken for dinner tonight.
Crocodile
A term used in informal language for the Crocodile genus.
The zoo's Nile crocodile drew a large crowd.
Chicken
The meat of the chicken, used as food.
She decided to add some chicken to the salad.
Crocodile
Leather made from the hide of a crocodile, used in luxury goods.
Her purse was made of genuine crocodile.
Chicken
A term used to describe someone who is cowardly.
He was called a chicken for not trying the roller coaster.
Crocodile
A line of people or children walking in pairs.
The children walked in a crocodile during the field trip.
Chicken
Slang for a young or inexperienced person.
The new recruit was just a chicken in the field.
Crocodile
A symbol of deceit in the phrase "crocodile tears."
He didn't trust her crocodile tears.
Chicken
A common domesticated fowl (Gallus domesticus) widely raised for meat and eggs and believed to be descended from the jungle fowl G. gallus.
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.
Chicken
Any of various similar or related birds.
Crocodile
A crocodilian reptile, such as an alligator, caiman, or gharial.
Chicken
The flesh of the chicken, used as food.
Crocodile
Leather made from crocodile skin.
Chicken
(Slang) A coward.
Crocodile
Chiefly British A line of people, especially pupils or choir members, standing two abreast.
Chicken
Any of various foolhardy competitions in which the participants persist in a dangerous course of action until one loses nerve and stops.
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.
Chicken
Vulgar Slang A young gay male, especially as sought by an older man.
Crocodile
A long line or procession of people (especially children) walking together.
Chicken
Afraid; cowardly.
Crocodile
(logic) A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.
Chicken
To act in a cowardly manner; lose one's nerve
Chickened out at the last moment.
Crocodile
(intransitive) To speak one's native language at an Esperanto-language gathering, rather than Esperanto.
Chicken
(countable) A domesticated species of junglefowl (usually, Gallus gallus; sometimes, Gallus gallus domesticus or Gallus domesticus), especially so-called when young.
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.
Chicken
(uncountable) The meat from this bird eaten as food.
Crocodile
A fallacious dilemma, mythically supposed to have been first used by a crocodile.
Chicken
(archaic) The young of any bird; a chick.
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
Chicken
A coward.
Chicken
A young or inexperienced person.
Chicken
A young, attractive, slim man, usually having little body hair; compare chickenhawk.
Chicken
The game of dare.
Chicken
A confrontational game in which the participants move toward each other at high speed (usually in automobiles); the player who turns first to avoid colliding into the other is the chicken (that is, the loser).
Don't play chicken with a freight train; you're guaranteed to lose.
Chicken
A simple dance in which the movements of a chicken are imitated.
Chicken
A kilogram of cocaine.
Chicken
Plural of chick
Chicken
(informal) Cowardly.
Why do you refuse to fight? Huh, I guess you're just too chicken.
Chicken
(intransitive) To avoid a situation one is afraid of.
Chicken
A young bird or fowl, esp. a young barnyard fowl.
Chicken
A young person; a child; esp. a young woman; a maiden; same as spring chicken.
Chicken
The flesh of a chicken used for food
Chicken
A domestic fowl bred for flesh or eggs; believed to have been developed from the red jungle fowl
Chicken
A person who lacks confidence, is irresolute and wishy-washy
Chicken
A foolhardy competition; a dangerous activity that is continued until one competitor becomes afraid and stops
Chicken
Easily frightened
FAQs
What is a chicken?
A chicken is a domesticated bird kept for its eggs and meat.
Are chickens carnivorous?
No, chickens are omnivores and eat grains and insects.
Are crocodiles only found in Africa?
No, crocodiles are found in Africa, Asia, the Americas, and Australia.
How long do crocodiles live?
Crocodiles can live for 70 years or more in the wild.
Do people eat crocodile meat?
Yes, crocodile meat is consumed in some cultures.
Are chickens used in sports?
Yes, but this practice is often considered inhumane and illegal.
Are chickens intelligent?
Chickens have a certain level of intelligence, capable of social interactions.
What is a crocodile?
A crocodile is a large aquatic reptile known for its predatory nature.
Can chickens fly?
Chickens can flutter and fly short distances, unlike wild birds.
Can crocodiles run fast?
Crocodiles can move quickly over short distances, especially in water.
What do chickens eat?
Chickens eat seeds, insects, and sometimes small animals or kitchen scraps.
Are chickens social animals?
Yes, chickens are social and live in flocks with a pecking order.
Do crocodiles have good parenting?
Female crocodiles are known to be protective of their nests and young.
Are crocodiles endangered?
Some crocodile species are endangered due to habitat loss and hunting.
Do chickens lay eggs every day?
Many chickens lay one egg a day, but this can vary.
Is crocodile farming legal?
It's legal in some countries under strict regulations for conservation and trade.
Is a chicken a mammal?
No, a chicken is a bird.
What do crocodiles eat?
Crocodiles eat fish, birds, mammals, and sometimes smaller crocodiles.
How fast can crocodiles swim?
Crocodiles can swim up to 15 to 18 mph (24 to 29 km/h) in short bursts.
Can chickens be pets?
Yes, chickens can be kept as pets and can be quite affectionate.
About Author
Written by
Harlon MossHarlon is a seasoned quality moderator and accomplished content writer for Difference Wiki. An alumnus of the prestigious University of California, he earned his degree in Computer Science. Leveraging his academic background, Harlon brings a meticulous and informed perspective to his work, ensuring content accuracy and excellence.
Edited by
Janet WhiteJanet White has been an esteemed writer and blogger for Difference Wiki. Holding a Master's degree in Science and Medical Journalism from the prestigious Boston University, she has consistently demonstrated her expertise and passion for her field. When she's not immersed in her work, Janet relishes her time exercising, delving into a good book, and cherishing moments with friends and family.
