How Fast Can Crocodiles Run?

There are 16 species of true crocodiles in the family Crocodylidae. Crocodilians may be semi-aquatic or fully aquatic, inhabiting freshwater and/or saltwater environments. Crocodiles can maneuver on land, but they are much more adept in the water. Researchers believe that crocodiles have evolved locomotor abilities to be more effective predators and to escape predators themselves. So, how do crocodiles move on land, and how fast can they run?

Crocodile Locomotion

Most crocodiles spend the majority of their lives in the water, but occasionally, they need to walk on land. Female crocodiles nest on land, protecting the baby crocodiles until they hatch in around 90 days. Crocodiles also need to locate a new water source when waterholes dry up. There are three ways that crocodiles move on land: belly crawling, high walking, and galloping. Take a closer look at each type of movement below.

Belly Crawling

Belly crawling requires the least amount of energy. It is done on slippery surfaces near water, like mud and sand. They keep their bellies and tails on or close to the ground, pushing themselves forward with their legs splayed out to the sides. If they need to quickly descend steep, muddy embankments, they slide down on their bellies, dragging their limbs while their tails swish back and forth to provide additional propulsion.

High Walking

High walking is the most common gait. With their feet and legs under their body, they walk with their stomach and part of their tail lifted off the ground. The legs on one side of the body come together when the body curves in that direction, then move apart when the body curves toward the other direction. The tail swings from side to side, curving along with the body.

Galloping

The third way some crocodilians move is by galloping, a type of asymmetrical gait believed to have evolved to help them quickly escape threats. It also allows them to bound over objects in their path. When crocodiles gallop, their backs arch and straighten, and their tails move up and down instead of side to side. The front limbs stretch out and forward while the hind limbs simultaneously propel the body.

How Fast Can Crocodiles Run?

The larger the crocodile, the more slowly it moves. Additionally, as their size increases, their agility and athletic ability decrease. Previously, it was assumed that few crocodile species could gallop, but researchers have found that at least eight species can gallop.

Some sources erroneously report that crocodiles can run 20-30mph, but this is a misconception. In a study of 42 individuals from 15 species of Crocodylia, researchers found that the crocodiles had a top speed of around 11mph. Scientists note that speeds of over 11mph have never been scientifically recorded for Crocodylia.

Crocodiles vs. Alligators

Alligators cannot gallop, but researchers note they are more likely to stand their ground than flee as crocodiles do. Despite their different types of gaits, crocodiles and alligators move at around the same speed, which is no faster than 11mph. In some of the trials, Alligatoroidea species had faster velocities than Crocodylidae.

So, if alligators and crocodiles run at around the same speed, why do some crocodile species expend so much energy using an extreme gait? Scientists think that galloping gives smaller crocodiles enhanced acceleration and increased maneuverability when escaping threats. It may also offer additional stability.

Can a Crocodile Outrun a Human?

The average sprint speed for a healthy, untrained human adult is around 12–15mph, so crocodiles are slightly slower than the average adult. Humans also have a significant advantage in endurance. Crocodiles can only run in short bursts. They are ambush hunters and quickly tire when running on land.

Crocodiles have the advantage when it comes to acceleration and strike range. For example, American crocodiles can propel themselves approximately one body length up out of the water and onto land. Large crocodiles, typically males, can reach over 12 feet in length. So, if a human is out of strike range and begins running immediately, it is unlikely that a crocodile would give chase, and even if it did, it would not be able to catch up.