Close Encounter: Cars Brought to a Standstill When a Massive Crocodile Takes Over Bridge

Imagine driving along a road that crosses a water hole and suddenly seeing a huge crocodile blocking your way. That’s what happened to some motorists in Australia, who had to wait for the reptile to move before they could continue their journey. Check out the video below!

Watch a Crocodile Cross Over a Bridge in the Video Below!

The video, which has gone viral on social media, shows a large concrete road that spans across a water hole. Some people are filming as cars cross it, but soon, from a distance, they spot a massive crocodile. The reptile pulls itself over the edge of the concrete and slides into the middle of the road.

The crocodile, which looks to be about 10-12 feet long, is absolutely massive and terrifying for anyone not in a vehicle that is looking on. The crocodile stops in the middle of the road, apparently enjoying the warm water heated by the sun. Crocodiles are cold-blooded animals, which means they rely on the external environment to regulate their body temperature; this spot is essentially a sauna!

An oncoming car tries to pass the crocodile, but the croc doesn’t seem motivated at all to move. The car honks at the croc, hoping to scare it away. The croc finally decides to move and slowly pulls itself into the water on the other side of the road. The people filming cheer and shout as the crocodile swims away. The onlookers have a people with quite an experience and an awesome video of a crocodile crossing the road!

How Common Are Crocodile Sightings in Kakadu National Park?

The video takes place in a place called Kakadu National Park, a massive park located in the Northern Territory of Australia. Each year there are lots of visitors, but are those visitors in any danger, particularly from being eaten by the world’s largest reptile?

Kakadu National Park has about 10,000 crocodiles across the park. These massive reptiles live in watery habitats like lakes, rivers, streams, and watering holes. Since cold-blooded, they need to warm up or cool down by moving in and out of the water, which is usually when people will see them since they bask on the shoreline in sunny locations.

Sometimes, they cross roads or causeways that span water bodies, famously in places like Cahills Crossing (the place in the video below). This is a popular croc-spot, as they can block traffic or even attack people. Two people have been killed by crocodiles at Cahills Crossing. If you are somewhat intentional, seeing a crocodile in Kakadu National Park can pretty much be guaranteed.

Cahills Crossing is also very dangerous, as crocodiles can easily climb onto the road and block the traffic or attack unsuspecting pedestrians. Crocodiles killed two people at Cahills Crossing in the past: one in 1987 and one in 2017. There are signs and platforms to warn people so they don’t get too close. Only cars should cross the road, and crossing on foot is extremely dangerous.

What Precautions Should Drivers Take When Encountering Wildlife on the Road?

You can encounter wildlife on the road in nearly every location around the world, but some places have especially high rates of animal encounters. When (not if) this sort of thing happens to you, there are a few things that can be valuable to remember.

First, always stay vigilant and keep an eye out, especially if there are roadsigns showing that you are in an area with lots of animal crossings. If so, watch on curves, over hills, and look further down the road to give yourself more time to react. If an animal is standing on or near the road, try flashing your lights or honking in a series of short bursts to encourage it to leave. However, don’t assume that the animal will behave predictably or move away quickly. Some animals may freeze, panic, or charge at your vehicle. Be prepared to stop or slow down if necessary.

If there is an animal that isn’t injured, just wait for it to pass and give it the space it needs not to feel threatened. If you do see an injured animal, don’t approach it, instead, call for help. Injured animals can be extremely dangerous and need professional assistance.

If you encounter a large animal, such as a deer, moose, or bear, don’t swerve to avoid it. Swerving can cause you to lose control of your vehicle or hit another car or object. Instead, brake firmly and stay in your lane. Again, you hit the animal, pull over to a safe place, and call for help. Don’t approach the injured animal, as it may be dangerous.