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Did you know that crocodiles lived in the same waters as some of the most dangerous prehistoric creatures? Few critters can claim that infamous fact, and the saltwater crocodile may just thank its size. After all, how many other animals can claim the same length as a school bus or a bite of 3,700 pounds per square inch? However, when it comes to a saltwater one, crocodile size compared to some of the largest and deadliest modern aquatic creatures, do you know how they will measure up?
Keep reading to find out how big these prehistoric creatures are!
How big is a saltwater crocodile?
Saltwater crocodiles are the largest type of crocodile and also the largest reptile. And when you see how big these prehistoric creatures are, you will understand how they earned this world title.
On average, saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 17 feet in length and weigh about 1000 pounds – the same as 4 full-sized refrigerators! However, they have been found to grow up to a maximum of 23 feet and over 2200 pounds! That’s more than twice the length of a African bush elephant height!
Saltwater crocodiles can grow big in captivity too! In 2012, the Guinness World Records announced that Lolong (- February 2013) the saltwater crocodile was officially the largest crocodile in captivity. At the time of his measurement, Lolong was over 20 feet tall and weighed 2,370 pounds, making him one of the largest recorded crocodiles ever!
Human vs Saltwater Crocodile Size Comparison
Did you know that only a saltwater crocodile’s tail is longer than a human’s? In fact, much of a saltwater crocodile’s length comes from its tail. In a mature adult, their tail can be longer than 7 feet – much longer than the average human length!
Right now, the tallest human is just over 8 feet. This means that it takes almost three clones of the tallest human to reach the same size as the largest saltwater crocodile! And when it comes to balancing the scales? It can take 13 average human weigh as much as a single super-sized saltwater crocodile.
Even a saltwater crocodile’s teeth are larger, with many of their teeth growing to at least four inches. A human’s tooth is about the same size as a newborn crocodile’s tooth, but that changes quickly as they get older.
Nile Crocodile vs. Size of saltwater crocodile
When it comes to the largest crocodile, the Nile crocodile isn’t far behind the eponymous saltwater crocodile.
Found in the Nile region, Nile Crocodiles grow to an average of 500 pounds and 16 feet. While their maximum length is only about 20 feet, their weight can more than triple to a maximum of 1,650 pounds — much larger than the average saltwater crocodile. Their maximum length is also much greater than the maximum female saltwater crocodile, which, compared to its male counterpart, only grows to about 10 feet in length.
Compared to Lolong, however, it would take almost five minutes average Nile crocodiles to balance the scales with him!
Although Nile crocodiles are smaller than saltwater crocodiles, they are generally much more aggressive than saltwater crocodiles, with a higher attack rate and more fatalities per year, although both species are the leading cause of crocodile related incidents every year.
American alligator vs. Size of saltwater crocodile
When it comes to crocodiles vs alligators as a whole, crocodiles tend to be larger than alligators. It is a fact that also applies to the American alligator and the saltwater crocodile.
If you live in the United States, you are probably familiar with the American alligator, especially if you live in southeastern states such as Florida. The American alligator is known to inhabit the freshwater swamps and rivers of the area. As a result, they are already at a bit of a disadvantage compared to saltwater critters, which have more space and resources to grow in size.
At their average maximum, you’ll rarely find an American alligator over 10 feet long — the same as a Volkswagen Beetle — or 1000 pounds. This makes them almost half the size of Lolong the saltwater crocodile and several meters smaller than the average crocodile.
The saltwater crocodile also has larger teeth, albeit only about an inch. Although they are slightly smaller, the American alligator has more teeth in its huge mouth, usually around 80 compared to the saltwater crocodile, which usually has fewer than 70. Despite having more teeth, the alligator’s snout is smaller than that of the crocodile.
Anaconda vs. saltwater crocodile
Unlike crocodiles, female anacondas are larger than males. Known as one of the toughest snakes in the world, female anacondas reach lengths up to 30 feet and weighs 550 pounds – the same as a baby grand piano!
Laid side by side, the green anaconda is about 3 feet longer than even the largest of the saltwater crocodiles. However, it is also half the weight of the average saltwater crocodile and nearly a quarter the largest of the large. In terms of weight, comparing the size of a saltwater crocodile to an anaconda isn’t much different from the American alligator.
Unlike others snakes dependent on venomAnacondas are a type of boa. This means they depend on strangulation to hunt their prey. Their ability to open their mouths up to four times the size of their bodies means they can easily swallow any prey. While they may not be able to eat a saltwater crocodile — nor share a habitat — anacondas have been known to attack and eat caimans and other small reptiles.
The smallest anaconda is the yellow anaconda. While the green anaconda can outnumber even the largest of the saltwater crocodiles, its smaller cousin only grows to about 13 feet in length. They usually weigh no more than a few pounds, but some studies have shown that they can reach a maximum of 110 pounds — barely a fraction of the weight of a giant saltwater crocodile.
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