Crocodile Attack How to Survive a Crocodile Attack
A saltwater crocodiles is absolutely dangerous! It is one of nature's deadliest and most efficient killing machines. It is an aggressive amphibious, carnivorous reptile that can grow to over 6m and weigh 1,o00kg. Humans are just food and fair game for a large crocodile.
Any person foolish enough to enter a crocodile-infested area, such as a river or creek, has a very high probability of being taken by a crocodile with little chance of escaping without horrific injury or being torn apart and eaten.
Most attacks occur on people in the water, such as swimmers, people in low to the waterline boats (such as canoes or dinghies), or bending down at the water’s edge. This low profile seems to elicit a greater predatory response than when a person standing upright. Attacks also occur on humans close to the water’s edge, such as fishermen, hunters, and campers.
The most common reasons for crocodile attacks are; hunting for food, defence of its territory, defence of its nest or young, and mistaken identity.
It Really Happened!
A vet at a Taiwan zoo had his arm chewed off by a crocodile. Luckily the arm was retrieved and sewn back on after 7 hours of surgery. The man now has one arm that is shorter than the other.
Crocodiles as small as 1.7m have been known to attack humans, but most fatalities are caused by animals that are over 4m in length. A human is very unlike to survive a well-targeted assault from an adult crocodile larger than 4m.
The crocodile is an ambush predator that uses stealth to approach its prey. Swimming with most of its body submerged, it silently positions itself within range of its prey and then uses its powerful tail and hind legs to leap out of the water and pouch on its prey. Grasping its victim with a bone-crushing bite, it will tear its victim apart and eat it. This is definitely not a pleasant way to die — ripped to pieces and eaten by a crocodile.
There are approximately 5-10 crocodile attacks in Australia each year.
• 25% of all attacks were fatal. That is 1-2 people each year.
• 81% of attacks were on people swimming, wading or at the water's edge.
• Crocodiles 2.7-5.1 m in size were responsible for fatal attacks. The average size of the crocodile was 4.3m.
• Crocodiles that are as small as 1.7m attacked humans.
• Nearly 71% of the humans attacked were male.
• 74% of the attacks occurred during the day.
• Nearly 54% of all attacks took place during the wet season (Nov-Apr).
How to Survive a Crocodile Attack
If attacked by a crocodile, the only defence you may have is to poke it in its eyes and hope it will let go.
If you flash a touch light and see glowing orange eyes, you know you are seeing a lurking crocodile.
How to Prevent Crocodile Attacks What to Do if a Crocodile Attacks You?
A few simple precautions can make a visit to areas known to be inhabited by crocodiles safe.
Obey all crocodile warning signs – they are there for a reason – to protect you.
Do not assume it is safe to swim if there is no warning sign. A crocodile may lurk in any shallow pool, drainage canal or even a ditch, especially if the water is murky.
Do not allow pets to roam near the water.
Supervise children at all times and explain the dangers.
Do not walk around at night, especially close to water.
When camping, choose a site well away from the water, preferably on high ground. If camping on a beach, be aware that crocodiles sometimes come ashore at night.
Stand back at least 3m from the water’s edge. If fishing, cut your line if it gets entangled rather than wade in.
Never leave animal carcasses, fish guts, raw meat, etc. near where people swim, fish or moor boats.
Do not dangle your arms, legs or body over the side of a boat. You may get it chewed off or get dragged into the water by a lurking crocodile.
Never present a low profile to a crocodile. Most attacks occur on swimmers, or on people canoeing, or bending down at the water’s edge. This low profile elicits a greater predatory response from a crocodile than from a person standing upright.