Watch a Crocodile Prove Its Faster and Stronger Than a Hissing Cheetah

Written by Zeek Lepakko
Updated: October 20, 2023
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Key Points:

  • Crocodiles are known to form lifelong bonds and display strong protective instincts towards their offspring.
  • An adult crocodile can consume up to 5 pounds of meat in a day.
  • If there were a fight between a crocodile and a cheetah, the crocodile would win due to its astonishing bite force.

The crocodile represents a group of large, aquatic reptiles that inhabit various water bodies across the world. Several species are found within this group, each with unique characteristics and adaptations to their specific habitats.

All of them are quite integral to their individual ecosystems, playing a crucial role in maintaining the balance of their environments, and they are all known for their formidable size, strength, and predatory behavior.

Crocodiles have the strongest bite of any animal on Earth, and they aren’t afraid to use it.

Despite their fearsome reputation, crocodiles of all kinds are complex creatures with surprising social structures and behaviors. That doesn’t hold them back from flexing their power when necessary, though, as we can vividly see in the video.

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Let’s find out more about this sometimes misunderstood reptile and catch them in action – if we can!

A Crocodile Can Be Nice When They Want

Crocodile on a shore

The crocodile has been known to mate for life and are very protective over their offspring.

©Naypong Studio/Shutterstock.com

While some crocodiles like the Nile crocodile are more aggressive than others, crocodiles in general do share similar social habits. Gatherings of around 20 or so crocodiles, called a bask, are very common and provide support through a variety of means.

Crocodiles have been observed to communicate via body postures, vocalizations, and even touch. They also display cooperative hunting strategies and communal nesting, where multiple females guard a shared nesting area.

How Much Does a Crocodile Eat?

Saltwater crocodile in water

An adult crocodile can consume up to 5 pounds of meat in a day.

©Willyam Bradberry/Shutterstock.com

An adult crocodile can eat upwards to 5 pounds of meat in a day, as long as prey is plentiful. Exercising their mighty jaws and shockingly quick reflexes, crocodiles patiently lie in wait until the right moment presents itself, striking without warning, much like we see in the below clip.

The massive crocodile’s impressive mouth contains 24 super sharp teeth, although these are used for snaring, crushing, and grasping food, instead of for chewing. In fact, crocodiles prefer to gulp down their meals once they’ve caught them.

Interestingly enough, crocodiles are entirely capable of going very long periods of time without eating, but it’s likely not their preferred eating regimen!

Aren’t Cheetahs the Fastest Land Animals?

cheetah mom and cubs laying on a rock

Cheetahs are the world’s fastest land mammal.

©nwdph/Shutterstock.com

The sleek and cunning cheetah does indeed hold the title of being the fastest-living land animal, but even they can let their guard down at times. Waterholes in Africa are critical for survival due to many factors, obviously including the scarcity of water in certain areas, but can be rather dangerous for anyone who decides to stop by for a quick drink.

It was bad luck for the cheetah caught off guard in the video below, as cheetahs can usually sustain themselves for up to 10 days without needing water. Talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time!

Is it Normal Behavior for Crocodiles and Cheetahs to Fight?

Cheetahs are not known for being naturally aggressive wild cats.

©Stolz, Gary M., U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons – License

Though cheetahs don’t have many natural enemies, encountering a crocodile can be dangerous. Crocodiles possess the strongest known bite force in the entire animal kingdom, measuring 3700 PSI. If a crocodile were to actually catch a cheetah, the cheetah would have little chance of survival.

Not only that, but cheetahs are actually rather docile compared to other large wild cats. They also aren’t considered an active threat to human safety. While cheetahs aren’t known for being aggressive, it’s always best to avoid them if ever there is a random encounter.

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Rudi Hulshof/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Zeek is a writer at A-Z Animals primarily covering wildlife in Africa and international travel. Zeek has been studying animals for over 15 years and holds an Associate's Degree in Arts from Lone Star Montgomery, earned in 2011. A resident of Washington, Zeek enjoys designing video games and training his Shiba Inu, Cheems.

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