All articles tagged with #crocodile
Cassius, the world's largest captive crocodile who lived over 100 years, died in 2024 due to an infection caused by a long-standing injury from a boat propeller in the 1980s, which eventually ruptured after decades of dormancy, highlighting the effects of old age on health.
Scientists discovered Australia's oldest crocodile eggshells from 55 million years ago, belonging to a bizarre, tree-hunting crocodile species called Wakkaoolithus godthelpi, which exhibited unique terrestrial and semi-arboreal behaviors, providing insights into prehistoric ecosystems and crocodile evolution.
Paleontologists in Egypt discovered Wadisuchus kassabi, the earliest known long-snouted dyrosaurid crocodile from about 80 million years ago, indicating that Africa was the origin of seagoing crocs and pushing back the timeline for their diversification.
A well-preserved fossil of a 67-million-year-old Argentine dinosaur named Joaquinraptor reveals it was an apex predator that had recently consumed a crocodile, providing new insights into the lesser-known megaraptorans and their hunting behaviors during the late Cretaceous period.
A 70-million-year-old hypercarnivorous crocodile-like predator named Kostensuchus atrox was discovered in Argentina, indicating it hunted dinosaurs and played a significant role in Cretaceous ecosystems alongside other large predators like the megaraptor Maip macrothorax.
A fossil discovery in Argentina reveals Kostensuchus, a large land-dwelling crocodile that was a formidable predator competing with dinosaurs in South America until the end of the dinosaur era, indicating that crocodilian species were significant predators alongside dinosaurs.
Fossil evidence from the Miocene epoch reveals a predator-prey interaction where a giant caiman likely scavenged or attacked a terror bird in South America, providing new insights into ancient food webs and predator dynamics.
Teeth marks on a 13-million-year-old terror bird fossil suggest it was killed by a crocodile-like predator, providing rare evidence of interactions between extinct top predators and revealing the vulnerability of these large birds in ancient ecosystems.
Henry, the world's oldest crocodile at 124 years old, resides in South Africa and has fathered over 10,000 offspring, exemplifying crocodilian longevity and resilience, possibly due to unique biological factors like negligible senescence and gut microbiome health.
A 68-year-old man was rescued and hospitalized after an apparent crocodile bite when his sailboat capsized in the Everglades National Park. The man was treated for a leg laceration and reported stable upon transfer to EMS providers. The American crocodile, a federally threatened species, is being monitored by rangers and park biologists, with only about 2,000 adult crocodiles in the mainland United States. Crocodile attacks on humans in Florida are rare, but worldwide, about 1,000 deaths a year are attributed to crocodile attacks.
Wildlife rangers in Ingham, North Queensland, Australia, removed a 2.5m (8 feet) long saltwater crocodile from a flooded creek caused by heavy rains and severe floods in the region.
A Belgian tourist was killed and a woman was injured in a shark or crocodile attack at the Pacific coast resort of Zihuatanejo in Mexico. The man died at the scene, while the woman was taken to a hospital. The civil defense office is investigating the wounds to determine the animal responsible. This incident follows recent shark attacks in the area, including a fatality earlier this month. Wildlife experts suggest that most shark attacks on humans are cases of mistaken identity.
A thrilling video captured the moment an elephant fought off a hungry crocodile in the Luangwa River in Western Zambia. The elephant frantically spun in circles and flicked its tail before finally shaking the crocodile loose and storming onto dry land. Safari guides happened to witness the rare encounter and described it as an exhilarating and once-in-a-lifetime event.
Jesús "Chucho" Alberto López Ortiz, a Costa Rican soccer player, was killed by a crocodile after jumping into the Cañas River. Witnesses reported seeing the crocodile drag his body underwater, and the reptile was later shot and killed by police to recover his remains. The soccer club requested that videos of the incident be removed out of respect for the family. Costa Rica is home to various wildlife, including crocodiles, and attracts many tourists each year.
Neighbors in Florida are concerned about their safety after a crocodile was spotted devouring a small dog in a canal. The incident has raised questions about public safety as people frequently kayak and play in the water. The crocodile was seen carrying the dog for hours before disappearing under a dock. Warmer weather and water are drawing crocodiles to the area, and residents are calling for action to ensure the safety of pets and small children near canals. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is aware of the incident and is monitoring the situation.