See Swimmer’s Narrow Escape from Crocodile in Hot Pursuit

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The Sian Ka’an Biosphere is one of the largest protected regions in Mexico. Located on the Eastern coast of the Yucatán Peninsula, it is home to thousands of diverse species of plants, birds, mammals, and marine life. It’s a world-renowned destination for nature-loving tourists, and swimming with local wildlife is a popular activity.

Of course, visitors should always swim with a buddy, unless, your buddy happens to be a huge crocodile. In the video above, a swimmer desperately tries to reach the shore as a stalking croc closes the distance. Fortunately, a quick-witted bystander threw a large object into the water, capturing the crocodile’s attention and allowing the swimmer to escape. So, how common are these crocodile encounters? Keep reading to learn about crocodiles in Mexico’s Sian Ka’an Biosphere and their conflicts with humans.

Crocodiles in the Americas

There are 16 crocodile species living in tropical regions around the world. However, only two crocodile species live in the waters of Mexico. The American crocodile, Crocodylus acutus, is typically found in brackish water and swamps as far north as southern Florida and as far south as northern South America. It can also be found in the coastal waters of the Caribbean. Morelet’s crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii, is primarily found in freshwater systems in southeastern Mexico, Guatemala, and Belize.

Both species live along the coast of the Yucatán Peninsula in Mexico. On the Caribbean coast, the Sian Ka’an Biosphere Reserve is one of the most important habitats for crocodiles. It has around 75 miles of coastline and hundreds of thousands of hectares of land including complex wetlands. Crocodiles make their homes in the lagoons, mangrove swamps, marshes, and cenotes, which are deep, water-filled sinkholes.

How Fast Can Crocodiles Swim?

American crocodiles (males) grow to be around 20 feet long and weigh between 800-1,000 pounds. However, some very large individuals have been recorded at upwards of 2,000 pounds. Morelet’s crocodiles are much smaller, averaging only around 10 feet long and 120 pounds. Judging by the relative size of the crocodile compared to the swimmer, the species caught on film is most likely an American crocodile.

As you can see in the video, crocodiles use their powerful tails to propel them through the water. They also have webs between their toes, increasing the surface area of their feet and allowing them to push against the water and quickly change direction. Some experts believe American crocodiles can swim at speeds up to 20mph. Luckily for the swimmer, they cannot sustain that speed for long.

Crocodile and Human Conflict

The International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN) Crocodile Specialist Group notes that the American crocodile and Morelet’s crocodile are known to attack humans. Given that crocodiles are opportunistic feeders and tend to be territorial, this is unsurprising. Croc Attack statistics from 2023 show 19 reports of American crocodile attacks, two of which were fatal. They report 7 attacks for Morelet’s crocodile, none of which were fatal. In Mexico alone, there were 13 attacks and one fatality reported.

The IUCN considers the American crocodile Vulnerable, with only about 5,000 individuals in the wild. Morelet’s crocodile is listed as Least Concern, with 79,000-100,000 mature animals in the population. Both species are protected in Mexico, but they still face threats of hunting and habitat loss. The Sian Ka’an may be a popular international tourist destination, but it’s also a haven for the region’s crocodiles. So, the more humans encroach on the places crocodiles call home, the more common conflict will be.