The question of whether crocodiles can gallop like a horse often sparks curiosity, given their ancient reptilian appearance. While crocodiles are most renowned for their aquatic prowess, their movements on land are surprisingly varied and efficient, leading to fascinating comparisons with other animal gaits. Understanding their terrestrial locomotion provides insight into their adaptations as semi-aquatic predators.
Different Ways Crocodiles Move
Crocodiles employ several distinct methods for moving across land. One common form is the “belly crawl,” where the crocodile’s body remains close to the ground, and its legs splay out to the sides. This movement is often used for slow progression or when sliding into water, though it can also be performed rapidly for quick escapes.
A more elevated gait is the “high walk,” in which the crocodile lifts its entire body, including a significant portion of its tail, off the ground. Their legs are positioned more directly underneath them, allowing for more sustained movement over longer distances, typically at a slower pace of 2-4 kilometers per hour. For their fastest terrestrial movements, some crocodile species engage in a “belly run” or a “gallop-like” gait. This involves a bounding motion where the hind limbs push the body forward, and the forelimbs then bear the weight. This powerful, burst-like movement allows them to accelerate quickly. This rapid locomotion is a testament to their terrestrial capabilities.
Crocodile “Gallop” Versus True Galloping
A true gallop, as seen in animals like horses, is a four-beat asymmetrical gait characterized by a distinct sequence of footfalls and a suspension phase where all four hooves are off the ground. Horses exhibit significant spinal flexion and extension (a forward and backward bending of the spine) during a gallop, which contributes to stride length and propulsion. This dorsoventral spinal movement allows for powerful energy storage and release, making it a highly efficient gait for sustained speed.
In contrast, the crocodile’s fastest terrestrial movement, often termed a “gallop” or “bounding,” differs biomechanically from a horse’s gallop. While some smaller crocodile species can indeed perform a bounding gait where both hind limbs push off simultaneously and are followed by the forelimbs, their spinal movement is more restricted. Crocodilians possess a semirigid spinal structure due to interlocking bony plates in their dorsal scales, which limits the extensive dorsoventral flexion seen in galloping mammals. Instead, their rapid terrestrial movements often involve lateral undulation of the body, a side-to-side motion that aids in propulsion. Alligators and caimans, closely related to crocodiles, typically cannot perform this bounding or galloping motion, usually only managing a trot.
How Fast Crocodiles Really Are
When moving on land, crocodiles are capable of bursts of speed, though these are typically not sustained over long distances. Some larger species, such as the Nile crocodile, can reach land speeds of up to 22 miles per hour (35 km/h) in short sprints. American crocodiles have been recorded at speeds up to 20 mph, and saltwater crocodiles between 15-18 mph. The Australian freshwater crocodile, a smaller species, is noted for its galloping ability, reaching speeds of around 10.56 mph (17 km/h).
These rapid movements are generally employed for very short distances, often around 20-30 meters. Crocodiles primarily use these bursts to escape perceived threats by quickly retreating to water or to ambush prey close to the shoreline. Their anatomy, while powerful for short accelerations, is not suited for prolonged high-speed pursuits, and they tire quickly. A healthy human can typically outrun a crocodile over longer distances on land.