Comparisons
Alligator vs crocodile (leather)
How to tell Hermès alligator from crocodile.
PurseBop says Hermès alligator (Mississippiensis) has smaller scales without visible pores, which taper towards the edges, and is mostly used on small bags because alligators are smaller animals. Crocodile Niloticus has larger rectangular scales with a central pore, and Porosus small square scales with pores either side. The stamp mark settles it: a square for alligator, two dots for Niloticus, a caret for Porosus.
| Alligator (Mississippiensis) | Crocodile Niloticus | Crocodile Porosus | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Origin | United States | Nile River (per PurseBop) | Asia or Australia |
| Scales | Smaller, no visible pores | Large, rectangular, pore in the centre | Smaller, square, symmetrical, pores either side |
| Finishes | Matte, shiny (lisse), Boreal Satin | Matte, shiny (lisse) | Matte, shiny (lisse) |
| Hermès mark | Square (☐) | Two dots (••) | Caret (^) |