So you’re going on a trip. And you’ve been warned about crocodiles. Just how fast can a crocodile run? In this post, you’ll learn about the speeds and habits of different crocodile species. We’ll dispel some myths and common fears. Wondering if you can outrun a crocodile? Yeah, we cover that too! Show
Large crocodiles can run between 15 to 22 mph (24-35 km/h). These fast crocodiles include Nile, saltwater and American crocodiles – some of the largest species on the planet. And in case you’re wondering, an average human runs between 10-15 mph (16-24 km/h). At first glance, it might appear that a croc could easily outrun a human. But things are seldom that simple. Crocs don’t run on land for more than a few body lengths. They just don’t hunt or travel this way. Asking how fact a crocodile can run is a hypothetical discussion. Because we’ll never get a croc to agree to a timed sprint in ideal conditions. In some ways, it’s like asking how strong is a gorilla? Sure, there is an answer, but it will never be completely accurate. Crocodile sprints and gorilla bench presses will just never occur (unfortunately). Why Crocodile Speed Doesn’t Really MatterThe data appears to give crocs the upper hand in a foot race with a human. But this isn’t the whole story. It is unlikely that a crocodile would ever chase you across dry land. In fact, according to crocodile expert Adam Britton:
Crocodiles have been seen to travel 65-100 ft (20-30 meters) in a sprint, and then quickly tire. So while you can’t be nonchalant about the risk a crocodile poses, you don’t have to worry that they’ll hunt you down by running after you through the jungle. How Crocodiles HuntCrocodiles are ambush predators. They launch a surprise attack, almost exclusively from the water or on the waters edge. If you can see the crocodile, the odds are in your favor. Running speeds aren’t that big of a factor. You’re more at risk when you can’t see the croc. And while it’s true that crocodiles occasionally hunt humans, it is almost always from the water. How’s your Swahili? Check out our guide to 100+ animal names in Swahili. Of course, you should still be very careful where ever there are crocodiles. For me, I would choose a long zoom lens over a close encounter. Here’s how to choose the best camera for a safari. Crocodile Running Speeds: 4 SpeciesSo how fast are crocodiles? This question is actually more complex than it first appears. There are 15 living species of crocodiles (American, Orinoco, Freshwater, Philippine, Morelet’s, Nile, New Guinea, Mugger, Saltwater, Cuban, Siamese, West African, Dwarf, West African slender-snouted, and the Central African slender-snouted crocodile) across 5 continents (Africa, Asia, North America, South American, and Australia). It’s worth taking their size into account as well. These 15 species range in size from the Dwarf crocodile at 4.9 ft (1.5 m) to the humongous Nile and Saltwater crocodile that can both reach up to 20 ft (6.1 m). Obviously, the Dwarf and the Nile crocodiles are going to run at different speeds. And when you consider that a Nile crocodile can weigh more than 20 times the weight of a dwarf croc, it becomes clear that the question needs to be more specific.
Here are the running speeds of four of the most well-known species.
Crocodiles Have 3 GaitsAs horses have different gaits (walk, trot, gallop, canter, and pace) crocodiles also have different ways they move about on land. They include:
Generally speaking, these three methods of locomotion are used to escape danger and not to hunt. Even when Cuban crocodiles and Australian freshwater crocodiles use galloping to confront a threat, they typically are acting in self-defense, not as hunters. Learn more about animals in Uganda. Can a Crocodile Outrun a Human on Land?Not really. If we’re talking about a footrace, for more than a few body lengths (65 to 100 feet), the croc isn’t going to do well. Not to mention, that this just isn’t how crocodiles hunt or defend. Average Human Running SpeedHow fast can humans run? The average running speed of a healthy adult human is around 10-15 mph (16-24 km/h) There are exceptions, like Usain Bolt (the fastest human ever recorded). Usain Bolt has been recorded at an average speed of 23 mph (37 km/h) and a top speed of 27.8 mph (44.72 km/h). Should I Run in a Zigzag if a Crocodile is Chasing Me?No. This is a myth and would actually make you easier to catch – if that was how crocodiles hunted. So, how fast can a crocodile run? It depends on the crocodile – the species, the terrain, and its motivation (fear or lunch). But most large crocs can run between 15 to 22 mph (24-35 km/h). Can a human outrun a crocodile? In most cases, yes. In fact, there are limited instances where a crocodile would ever chase a human. To stay safe, here are six ways to survive a crocodile encounter. What are some other fast animals? Here are the 30 Fastest Animals in the World: Land, Air, Sea Keep reading: How fast can a rhino run? Or what about a cheetah’s top speed? Porcupines famously use their quills for defense. But do porcupines shoot their quills? Your TurnHave an opinion or stat to share? Or maybe you’ve seen a crocodile run? Let me know in the comments.
Hi, I’m Bryan Haines. And I’m a co-founder of Storyteller.Travel. I’m a traveler and photographer. I also blog about photography on ClickLikeThis.com Can you outrun crocodiles?But how quickly can they run? Most crocodiles can achieve speeds of around 12 to 14 kph for short periods, which is somewhat slower than a fit human can run. Don't believe the hype - if you're reasonably fit, you can definitely outrun a crocodile!
Are crocodiles faster on land or in water?The average crocodile can swim up to 20 km/h! Most crocodiles can swim faster than they run. More dangerously, they can swim effortlessly and keep up a fast pace for a long time. A human may run faster than a crocodile on land, but it will never win a swimming race.
How fast are crocodiles on land and water?Large crocodiles can run between 15 to 22 mph (24-35 km/h). These fast crocodiles include Nile, saltwater and American crocodiles – some of the largest species on the planet. What is this? And in case you're wondering, an average human runs between 10-15 mph (16-24 km/h).
How fast is a saltwater crocodile in water?24 – 29 km/hSaltwater crocodile / Speednull
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