Why Crocodiles Are Faster in Water Than You Think

Crocodiles are fearsome creatures. Their wide jaws and sharp teeth, capable of biting through almost anything, are more than enough reason to keep your distance. While their large size may make them seem slower than other animals, their actual speed is surprising. This YouTube Short by @Forevergreenapp shows a crocodile swimming next to a boat at a terrifying speed. Read here to learn more about how fast crocodiles can swim.

How Fast Can Crocodiles Swim?

Crocodiles are some of the best ambush predators out there, thanks to their speed and hunting abilities. They have gone through centuries of adaptations to get to this level of hunting prowess. For one, their powerful tails, which take up half their body length, are the perfect propeller as they are packed with muscle. Their powerful, elongated bodies make them like torpedoes in the water. While swimming, crocodiles tuck in their limbs to reduce drag and increase their hydrodynamics. Their webbed feet also help them maneuver effectively, making a chase like the one in the video above a frightening experience. So how fast can crocodiles swim?

Crocodiles are deceptively fast, given their appearance, and rely on short bursts of speed to catch their prey. While their speed depends on the species, crocodiles can swim in quick bursts at speeds of 15 to 18 miles per hour. This speed is much slower than dolphins’ sprint swimming speeds, as dolphins can reach 22 to 37 miles per hour, depending on the species. Saltwater crocodiles, the largest crocodile species, can swim in bursts at around 15 to 18 miles per hour, making them fast among reptiles. American crocodiles can also reach burst speeds of up to 18 miles per hour, making them effective ambush predators.

How Do They Compare?

Crocodiles may not seem quick because of their sluggish movement on land, but they are impressive swimmers compared to many other animals. Humans, on average, swim around two miles per hour, with some of the quickest Olympic swimmers reaching about five miles per hour in short sprints. Dolphins can swim at speeds ranging from 22 to 37 miles per hour, depending on the species, making them much faster than crocodiles. Some sharks, like the shortfin mako, can reach speeds up to 45 miles per hour, and orcas can swim up to 34 miles per hour, both much faster than crocodiles. So, while crocodiles may not be the fastest swimmers, their ability to accelerate in short bursts makes them formidable predators in the water—ones you should definitely avoid!