What Animals Could Kill a Crocodile? 5 Common Predators + Other Threats

Crocodiles are living fossils. Their ancestors first appeared over 200 million years ago, survived the events that killed the dinosaurs, and continue to prey on humans and animals alike in the present. Although the largest crocodile species, the saltwater crocodile, is a very large and dangerous creature, it’s not unkillable. So, what animals could kill a crocodile?

We’re going to show you several creatures that could kill a crocodile. We’ll start the list by examining a few of the animals that have a chance against an adult crocodile. We’ll even mention a few of the creatures that pose a threat to crocodiles when they’re young in the final section.

1. Human

Humans and crocodiles fight an ongoing battle as long as they have lived in the same areas. Crocodiles kill roughly 1,000 people around the world every year. One myth surrounding the Battle of Ramree claims that 500 to 900 people met a grisly end after charging into crocodile-infested swamps to escape Allied soldiers.

Unarmed humans don’t stand much against the largest crocodile species. That’s especially true when the crocodiles strike out of the water or from tall vegetation. However, humans have used firearms to dispatch vast numbers of crocodiles.

Humans are one of the greatest threats to crocodiles because of their ability to kill them with weapons. Yet, people are also constantly encroaching on the reptile’s native areas. When humans occupy an area, they tend to kill off many of the creatures that pose a threat to them, including crocs.

2. Hippopotamus

A fully grown hippo can weigh between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds, standing 5.5 feet at the shoulder and growing up to 16 feet long. They have a powerful bite, large, sharp teeth, and very durable bodies. When asking about what animals could kill a crocodile, the hippo is high on the list. Hippos may aggressively pursue any crocodiles that invade their territory, especially if they get too close to their young. Crocodiles looking for a quick meal may find themselves in a tough situation.  

We’ve discussed a hippo vs crocodile fight before. Although a hippo might not win a fight against a crocodile every time, they’re certainly built to win that battle.

3. Elephant

An elephant could kill a crocodile. They can weigh anywhere from 6,500 pounds to 12,000 pounds. They’re simply too large for a crocodile to take down unless the elephant wanders into the water at a depth where it cannot fight back.

This fight would play out similarly to an elephant vs an alligator fight. While gators are much smaller than crocs, they would have the same problems taking down an elephant. An elephant would stomp the crocodile or use its tusks to gore it. Meanwhile, the crocodile wouldn’t have many ways to fight back. They won’t be able to drag the elephant into the depths and use a death roll to kill it. Without their favored method of attack and unable to escape an angry elephant, the crocodile would die.

4. Rhino

The rhino is another large animal that could kill a crocodile. The average rhino can weigh between 1,000 and 8,000 pounds, growing 6 to 13 feet long, and standing upwards of 5 feet tall. Crocodiles weigh between 400 and 2,200 pounds at their very largest.

This size disparity favors the rhino on land, the only place it would be likely to encounter and kill a crocodile. These creatures would use a similar attack as the elephant, goring, charging, and otherwise stomping on the reptile.

5. Tiger

A tiger would have a chance against a similarly sized crocodile or a smaller crocodile. The largest tiger species, the Siberian or Amur tiger, can reach almost 800 pounds and grow 11 feet long. They’re powerful, deadly mammals that would dodge the croc’s attacks and deliver powerful bites and paw swipes to kill the reptile.  

However, a tiger would probably have a much harder time killing the largest species of crocodiles. They would have their work cut out for them against a full-grown saltwater crocodile. That is especially true if the fight started at the water’s edge. For example, if a crocodile lunged out of the water to attack a tiger getting a drink, it could kill the big cat. On land, though, the tiger is too fast, agile, and powerful for all but the largest crocodiles to dispatch.

So, what animals could kill a crocodile? Very few creatures could consistently go toe-to-toe with a mature crocodile. That’s especially true of the larger species like saltwater crocodiles and the Nile crocodile. Aside from the animals listed above, crocodiles face several other predators when they’re hatchlings. Various birds, crabs, barracudas, and even raccoons will prey on young crocodiles. However, all the fun ends when they reach adulthood and become apex predators.  

Summary of Animals That Could Kill a Crocodile

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