Crocodile Explodes Out of Water in Gravity-Defying Vertical Jump

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The earliest ancestors of the crocodile evolved around 235 million years ago. These prehistoric predators have an impressive array of abilities, some of which helped their predecessors survive two mass extinction events. One of their most incredible skills is the vertical jump, as you can see in the video above.

The skipper uses a type of fishing pole to drag chunks of meat through the water. Once he has the crocs’ attention, he raises the pole up in the air and dangles the meat over the water. The two crocodiles, known to locals as Brutus and Dominator, launch themselves out of the water to grab the meat. It’s an amazing sight, but how do they propel their massive bodies straight up into the air? Continue reading to learn about saltwater crocs and find out how they can jump so high.

Crocodile Habitats

There are 16 species in the family Crocodylidae. These different species live in tropical regions across the world, including Australia, Asia, Africa, South America, and along the coasts of South Florida in North America. The crocodiles in the video are saltwater crocodiles, Crocodylus porosus. It is the largest crocodile species and the largest living reptile. The males can grow to around 23 feet and weigh as much as 2,200 pounds. To put that into perspective, they weigh as much as a small car, but they’re about twice as long.

Australian saltwater crocodiles are found in the coastal waters of northern Australia, including Queensland, the Northern Territory, and Western Australia. They also live in saltwater lakes, estuaries, marshes, and swamps. Crocodiles can travel hundreds of miles by sea and have even been seen swimming in the open ocean. Despite the name, saltwater crocs can occasionally be found in freshwater habitats. Crocodiles are semi-aquatic, so they spend part of their time basking on the shore to regulate their body temperatures.

Carnivorous Crocs

Crocodiles are opportunistic ambush predators. They typically eat fish, but birds, turtles, crabs, snakes, and mammals are also on the menu. Crocs aren’t picky and will eat nearly anything that comes into their territory, on land or sea. Even large animals like water buffalo and wild boar are fair game. Crocodiles have also been known to eat sharks.

When hunting, crocodiles lie in wait along the water’s edge. They float, mostly submerged, using the murky water to hide their presence. When an unsuspecting victim comes close, the croc explodes from the water, grips the prey in its teeth, and drags it down into the water. Crocodiles have a gular valve, which is a flap in their throats that seals their mouths off from their throats. This adaptation is crucial to their survival, as it lets them breathe when their mouth is open underwater. Crocodiles can hold their breath for several hours, depending on the water temperature and species.

How Do Crocs Jump Straight Up?

There’s no doubt crocodiles jump to capture prey. They can reportedly launch 3/4 of their body length vertically out of the water. (Although rare, there are also some reports of crocodiles jumping on land.) This is sometimes referred to as breaching, and it is common in sharks, whales, and dolphins. To find out more about the crocodile’s underwater locomotion, researchers observed young saltwater crocodiles as they leaped to catch food.

Researchers discovered that crocodiles begin by bringing their hind legs forward and opening the webbing between their toes. Then, they bend their tail at a right angle to their body. Next, they push their hind limbs and tails backward to thrust upward. They begin to open their mouths when their snouts clear the surface. As more of the crocodile’s body emerges from the water, the faster it accelerates. They keep their mouths open wide until they snap their jaws closed on their prey. After watching this process in action, it’s easy to see why crocs like Brutus and Dominator are some of the world’s deadliest predators.