What will be your opinion when someone says “Crocodile”!. To be straightforward, the crocodiles are one of the most dangerous and lethal reptiles for humans. While considering their history, crocodiles first emerged and evidenced 95 million years ago. Alright, through the course of evolution, we see many crocodile species around us and some of them are as well going extinct.
Considered from the group of crocodiles out there living, we have sorted some of the most dangerous crocodiles. Trust me, some of them hunt primarily for humans as their prey. What makes them dangerous to humans is a simple snap, and twist, which could just cause a life. Additionally, crocodiles are the only species known to give the most painful bite in the world.
So, what are the ten most dangerous crocodile species in the world. Let’s find out.
10. Siamese Crocodile
Siamese crocodile is one of the world’s deadliest crocodile native to Indonesia, Brunei, Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. The crocodile species is medium-sized and is also recognized as “Siamese freshwater crocodile” or “Singapore small-grain”.
An adult Siamese crocodile grows up to 6.9 feet and weighs up to 70 kg. The crocodile species doesn’t become a primary threat to humans. However, there have been many instances of them attacking humans. The last fatal attack was in 1928 when the Siamese crocodile attacked on a child with no precise reason.
Further, it is considered that the crocodile species is not aggressive on humans. They tend to become unexpected as part of their defense. Additionally, the Siamese crocodiles are as well used for performing crocodile show in different parts of the world. And, there are instances where they have attacked the show performers and caused insane bruises.
9. New Guinea Crocodile
New Guinea crocodile is a small species of crocodile native to the islands of New Guinea. The crocodile can be seen in the regions of freshwater swamps and lakes. Additionally, an adult can grow up to 10 feet in length.
New Guinea crocodiles have sharp teeth that can crush the prey instantly after catching them. They generally feed on aquatic animals like insects, spiders, frogs, fishes, and small mammals. Further, they are intelligent enough to attack the prey in a stealth manner. The idea they follow is incredible, which flick the prey’s head immediately after being caught.
Finally, they hunt during the nights and are largely nocturnal. As an add-on, the crocodile species possess a strong tail that helps them as a weapon of self-defense.
8. West African Crocodile
West African crocodile is a lethal crocodile, which can be mistakenly recognized as Nile crocodiles. Obviously, being exactly the same as Nile Crocodile, it becomes hard to differentiate between the two.
Also known as “desert crocodile”, the West African crocodile is distributed in parts of West and Central Africa. The crocodile species can as well be seen in the east of South Sudan and the Republic of the Congo. Further, an adult West African crocodile can grow up to 8 feet in length.
The African crocodiles are relatively lesser aggressive by nature while comparing other crocodile species like the Nile crocodile and saltwater crocodile. Being said that they are less aggressive, there have been several fatal attacks on humans. Therefore, it is considered a great threat to us.
7. Freshwater Crocodile
Freshwater crocodile is a deadly crocodile endemic to the northern regions of Australia. Also recognized as “Australian freshwater crocodile” or “Johnstone’s crocodile”, the freshwater crocodiles are considered as man-eaters. A single bite can possess so much power that the bruised area can go as much nasty as possible.
Further, an average adult can grow up to 7 feet in length and can weigh up to 100 kg. Their teeth are sharp but are accounted for smaller in size. Obviously, being smaller in size, the threat possessed by them to humans is relatively less when compared to dangerous saltwater crocodile.
Freshwater crocodiles are known to catch small animals such as fish, bats, reptiles, and amphibians for their food. Finally, all the attacks encountered to date were due to their self-defense. They are basically shy by nature and avoid human interactions.
6. Black Caiman
Black Caiman is a dangerous alligatorid crocodilian native to Mexico, Central, and northern South America. The crocodile species can be seen residing majorly in swamps to mangroves rivers and lakes.
The black caimans are considered the largest caiman species in the world. An adult can grow up to 13 feet and can weigh up to 400 kg. Additionally, the crocodile is scary enough at first glance and is accounted for as the largest predator in the Amazon basin. They are incredible predators and tend to feed on small animals such as small fish, frogs, and small invertebrates.
However, there are records of them attacking even big animals such as cougars and jaguars. Further, they are more likely to even feed on medium-sized mammals like deer, tapirs, and giant otters. Their teeth are not designed for chewing and generally tend to tear apart the flesh to gulp.
5. Mugger Crocodile
The mugger crocodile is a horrifying crocodile native from southern Iran to the Indian Subcontinent. Also recognized as “marsh crocodile” or “mugger”, the mugger crocodile is known to reside majorly in freshwater habitats.
The crocodile species is listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List and is already extinct in Bhutan and Myanmar. Additionally, an average adult mugger crocodile can grow up to 11 feet and can weigh up to 250 Kg. The largest ever recorded mugger crocodile was measured at 18.6 feet in length.
The mugger crocodiles are incredible swimmers and are capable of swimming swiftly with no hassle. Furthermore, they consist of 19 teeth on each side of their jaw making it incredible for the prey to escape.
Finally, they are well built to hunt bigger animals like monkeys and dogs. The mugger crocodiles can be seen scavenging on dead animals too.
4. American Crocodile
The American crocodile is a lethal crocodile found primarily in South Florida and the coasts of Mexico. Additionally, they are also found in regions to the south of Peru and Venezuela.
The American crocodile is known to reside majorly in river systems, salty areas, and brackish lakes and swamps. The crocodile is not very aggressive to humans. However, they are life-threatening to humans and can cause potential bruises.
An adult American crocodile can grow up to a massive 16 ft in length and can weigh up to 900 Kg. This massive crocodile species is known to clutter any prey on its way. There are several recordings of the killing and eating spectacled caimans in South America.
3. American Alligator
The American alligator is a mighty reptile of all-time. Also recognized as “gator” or “common gator”, the American alligator is native to the Southeastern United States.
An average adult can grow up to 12 ft in length and weigh up to 450 Kg. Further, an adult American alligator has up to 80 teeth. Additionally, the American alligator’s bite is considered the world’s strongest and deadliest as per the recorded laboratory measures. The bite is recorded up to 16,414 Newton.
The crocodile is lethal enough to kill an adult human. However, American alligators are rarely seen as killing humans. They are considered less aggressive by nature towards humans but can cause serious injuries. Finally, they have killed over 257 people in Florida to date since 1948 as per the documentation.
2. Nile Crocodile
Nile crocodile, an equal competitor to the saltwater crocodile, becomes yet another world’s most terrifying crocodile species. Found in the freshwater regions, the Nile crocodile is native to Africa. Additionally, they are known to be diversified in 26 other countries too.
An average Nile crocodile can grow up to 16.4 ft and weigh up to 750 kg. After the saltwater crocodiles, the Nile crocodiles become the second-largest reptile species in the world. They have stunning jaws with iron-like teeth that require just a single bite to switch off the prey. This extreme nature of bite cannot be withstood by swift prey either.
Additionally, they possess very aggressive behavior and can go violent once caught. Though the Nile crocodiles don’t consider humans as their actual prey, there have been multiple human fatalities by them.
Finally, the saltwater crocodiles and Nile crocodiles together kill hundreds of humans annually that are more than all other croc species combined.
1. Saltwater Crocodile
The saltwater crocodile is considered by far the most dangerous crocodile for humans. As the name says, the crocodile species are known to reside in saltwater habitats and wetlands.
Further, the saltwater crocodiles are found majorly in parts of Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region of northern Australia and Micronesia. They are also recognized as “sea crocodile” or “marine crocodile” as they tend to reside most of their life in saltwater.
The saltwater crocodiles are accounted for as the largest living reptile and crocodilian in the world. They have incredible ambush capabilities to drown their prey and gulp as a whole.
Something shocking to note that the saltwater crocodiles have the most powerful bite of any living animal on earth. A single bite is known to produce up to 16,414 newtons of force. This means that the crocodile is a pure puncture machine.
The saltwater crocodile and Nile crocodile is the only crocodilians to have the strongest aptness to treat humans as prey. In Australia, about 30 people fall under the fences of crocodiles and get bruised unimaginably annually.
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Gharial
The gharial is a fish-eating crocodile found in northeastern India, Bangladesh, and Indus River in Pakistan. Additionally, the crocodile species is considered one of the longest living crocodiles, which is known to grow up to 19 feet in length.
Also recognized as “garvial” or the “fish-eating crocodile”, the Gharials consist of 110 sharp teeth that resemble a perfect trap. The interlocking teeth can tear apart the prey in a matter of seconds. Further, the crocodile species is known to have evolved since ages to primarily become a fish-eater.
A positive review from the people living around the Indus Valley state that the croc’s body parts are used for indigenous medicine. Also, the locals believe that their body parts help in healing.
From the depictions of Indus Valley Civilization, the gharial crocodiles were human eaters too. This comes after the evidence of jewelry found from the crocodile’s stomach then.