Discover the Most Crocodile Infested Swamp in the World

Crocodiles inhabit several countries all over the world. They are more aggressive than alligators and humans should never bother them. Most crocodiles live in swamps with brackish water, while others can survive in saltwater. Some lakes, swamps, and ponds also provide a home to many crocodiles. Keep reading to discover the most crocodile-infested swamp in the world!

About Crocodiles

Before we dive into the most crocodile-infested swamp in the world, let’s learn more about crocodiles and their habits. Crocodiles are large reptiles belonging to the Crocodylidae family. People often confuse them for alligators, especially since in some places they share the same environment.

For example, American alligators and crocodiles coexist in Florida’s Everglades. Multiple extant species exist. Some of the most common crocodile species are freshwater crocodiles, dwarf crocodiles, Nile crocodiles, saltwater crocodiles, American crocodiles, and Cuban crocodiles.

They are successful predators thanks to their aquatic and predatory lifestyle. Crocodiles ambush their prey in the water. They slowly stalk their prey, hiding just below the surface, and strike when in close range. The American alligator hunts in much the same way. Crocodiles are carnivores; they eat many types of fish, snakes, amphibians, and large mammals.

Most crocodile species are large, but they vary in size. For example, dwarf crocodiles stop growing at 6.2 feet long, while saltwater crocodiles easily surpass 20 feet long.

What is the Most Crocodile Infested Swamp in the World?

The most crocodile-infested swamp in the world was on Ramree Island, a part of Myanmar. This particular island was home to thousands of aggressive crocodiles. Over five decades ago, tragic crocodile attacks allegedly occurred here. According to the legend, Japanese soldiers fleeing Ramree Island during World War II lost their lives to man-eating Crocs.

According to written reports, starving Japanese soldiers were forced to traverse the mangrove swamps, which were home to thousands of crocodiles. A Canadian nationalist, Bruce S. Wright, was stationed in Myanmar at the time of the attacks. He later recorded his experience detailing how saltwater crocodiles crushed the bones of Japanese soldiers. He stated that out of 1,000 Japanese soldiers that entered the swamps of Ramree Island, only 23 made it out alive. Roger Caras wrote a similar description.

While there isn’t an exact record of what happened to the Japanese soldiers or how many people were eaten by the saltwater crocodiles, experts estimate there were at least 500 victims! Some sources swear that over 900 soldiers died in this massive massacre, while some believe this incredible story to be a myth. One reason experts don’t believe the story is that it runs contrary to crocodiles’ eating habits. Saltwater Crocs aren’t frenzied hunters.

Why was Ramree Island Dangerous?

Ramree Island, in Myanmar, was one of the most dangerous islands in the world. Thousands of saltwater crocodiles lived in the deep forests of this island. Whether they attacked several Japanese soldiers or not, they were certainly ferocious. Even a small, young saltwater crocodile can easily take down an adult human. Sadly, because of overhunting, it’s unlikely that a healthy saltwater crocodile population lives on the island today. However, they were common throughout the island until the 1960s.

Other Crocodile Infested Waterways

Crocodiles live in almost all parts of the world. Apart from Ramree Island, there are other crocodile-infested areas you might want to steer clear of. For example, Keep River National Park in Australia is home to many large crocodiles. In fact, a couple got stuck in the mud for 26 hours while on an expedition. Although they avoided an attack, their car sunk deeper into the mud, and they saw long crocodile tracks. The huge crocodiles that made the tracks were likely 16 to 20 feet long!

Another crocodile-infested place is the Pantanal in Brazil. This beautiful tropical wetland has the largest concentration of crocodiles in the world. Experts estimate that there are over 10 million caimans in the Pantanal region, which includes parts of Brazil, Paraguay, and Bolivia. They bask on the banks in large groups.

Where is Ramree Island Located on a Map?

Ramree Island, situated along the Rakhine Coast of Myanmar, is the largest island on this stretch of the coast, as well as in the entire country of Myanmar. The island covers an area of around 1,350 square kilometers, and the primary hub of the population is located in the town of Ramree.

Here is Ramree Island on a map:

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Vladimir Turkenich/Shutterstock.com