Crocodiles have been patrolling rivers and coastlines since before the dinosaurs disappeared, and they're still one of the most formidable predators on Earth. Beneath the fearsome reputation is a genuinely strange and fascinating animal, from its bone-crushing bite to its habit of climbing trees.
Here are 22 verified facts about crocodiles, plus answers to the questions people ask most.
Crocodiles are reptiles in the order Crocodilia, which also includes alligators, caimans, and gharials.
Crocodylians as a lineage have existed for roughly 200 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving groups of animals on Earth.
There are more than a dozen recognized species of true crocodile (family Crocodylidae), found across the Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia.
The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile. The most rigorously verified individual, Lolong, measured just over 20 feet (6.17 meters); some historical reports claim lengths up to 23 feet, but those are not fully documented.
Crocodiles are carnivores that will eat almost anything they can catch, including fish, birds, mammals, and other reptiles.
The saltwater crocodile has the strongest bite force ever measured in a living animal, about 3,700 pounds per square inch, according to a study led by paleobiologist Gregory Erickson.
Crocodiles can go for weeks to months without eating by slowing their metabolism to conserve energy.
Crocodiles typically hold their breath for around 30 to 60 minutes, though they can stay submerged for over an hour while resting or in cool water.
Crocodiles are strong swimmers and can also move surprisingly fast over short distances on land.
They use their powerful, muscular tails to propel and steer themselves through water.
Crocodiles are more social than people assume, often basking or gathering in groups sometimes called "congregations."
They communicate through vocalizations, body posturing, and chemical scent signals.
Crocodiles have excellent eyesight both above and below water.
A crocodile's third eyelid, called a nictitating membrane, closes over the eye to protect and moisten it while swimming.
Crocodiles have temperature-dependent sex determination: the incubation temperature of the nest determines whether hatchlings develop as male or female.
Hatchlings emerge from the egg at roughly 8 to 12 inches long, depending on the species.
Mother crocodiles are attentive parents, often guarding the nest and carrying newly hatched young to the water in their mouths.
Crocodiles are long-lived; saltwater crocodiles and a few other species can live 70 years or more in the wild.
As apex predators, crocodiles help regulate the populations of fish and other animals in their ecosystems.
Crocodiles have been worshipped and symbolically important in many cultures, including ancient Egypt, where the crocodile god Sobek was venerated.
Juvenile crocodiles of several species, including saltwater and Nile crocodiles, have been documented climbing trees and basking on branches.
The African dwarf crocodile is the smallest living species, typically reaching only about 5 to 6 feet in length.
Crocodiles have one of the most acidic stomachs in the animal kingdom, allowing them to digest bones, hooves, and even shells.
We write every article to be genuinely fun — and genuinely true. Each fact is checked against reputable sources before it goes live. Spotted something off? Tell us and read our fact-check policy.
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