Ask a Croc Expert
Read Dr. Britton's responses on the following croc topics:
Crocodile Predators
Crocodile Speed
Croc/Human Interaction
Crocodile Size
Crocodile Hunting
Crocodile Defense
Alligators vs. Crocodiles
Crocodile Mothering
Crocodile Infections
Crocodile Bites
Crocs in Water
Croc Body Heat
The Crocodile Heart
Q: On Croc/Human InteractionWhy do crocs stay away from people, except when it comes to their eggs?
Sandra Swartz
A: In nearly all situations, crocodiles are wary creatures that like to keep their distance from any potential danger. Crocodiles are in their element when they're concealed — their entire body is adapted to be difficult to see when they want it to be. All their main information-gathering senses are on the top of their head, barely exposed when their bodies are concealed under the water surface. This means they can sneak up on their prey, but once their presence is known they're far less effective as predators. There's no point risking injury or wasting valuable energy when a person or large animal approaches, so they gently slip into the water and disappear from view.
All this changes at certain times of year. Males of many species become territorial and far more aggressive toward any potential intruders — crocodile or otherwise. They are defending resources such as food, space and breeding females. Females also become more territorial, defending an area of potential nesting habitat, although some species are more tolerant than others.
Once the female has laid her eggs, she defends the nest ferociously. Crocodiles have very well developed parental care, and females guard their nest for over two months until hatching time, then gently open the nest and carry baby hatchlings back into the water. For several weeks or months thereafter the female will defend her "crèche" of young, which is her parental "investment" in future crocodiles if you like. Few of her offspring will survive to reach adulthood, but the number of hatchlings eaten by predators would be far higher if the female did not protect them through the most vulnerable period of their lives.
Having said this, in areas where crocodiles and humans come into contact frequently the risks become a lot higher. Nile crocodiles in particular are viewed as a menace by many African people whose lives depend upon access to water — Nile crocodiles are responsible for more human deaths than any other crocodile species. As crocodile populations around the world recover, very careful management and education will be required to ensure both can coexist without incident. This happens in Florida, and it happens in northern Australia with the potentially dangerous saltwater crocodile — education and awareness have greatly reduced the danger to people, who view crocodiles and alligators with a little more respect.
