Reptiles have always evoked a sense of fear and trepidation in humans. Crocodiles in this niche occupy a special place, because their body shields and huge frightening mouths really look frightening. It is known that today crocodiles, or rather their intellectual abilities, are not fully understood. Many scientists suggest that such predators are not able to think, only instincts laid down by nature control their habits. However, others, carefully trying to know the world of reptiles, are convinced that crocodiles are endowed with remarkable intelligence. Otherwise, how to explain that these predators belong to such a developed and, perhaps, the most time-honed mastery of camouflage and concealment to the right moment?
As for other aspects of the study of predatory reptiles, science knows a lot. For example, the weight, length of crocodiles, their natural species, the unique structure of the pupil. But in this article we will discuss precisely the maximum lengths of such a dangerous predator and factors that can significantly affect this value.
Combed crocodile
One of the largest reptiles in the world is the combed crocodile (Crocodylus porosus - lat.). It lives in fresh and salty waters in the Philippines, in the southeastern part of Asia and on the territory of the Solomon Islands. The main feature of this reptile is two crests on the head, located symmetrically relative to the eyes, and a unique body covered with many pointed peaks of various sizes. It is because of these natural features of a dangerous predator that they can call a tuberous, marine, brackish or nostril crocodile.
Most often, individuals of this species have a belly color from yellow to dark sand. Brightness depends on the age of the crocodile: the younger the predator, the brighter the color. The main color of the entire upper part (occipital, dorsal and caudal) is dark olive or olive brown. The length of the crocodile, which keeps in fear not only the animals that live in close proximity with it, but also the people living in the vicinity of the water bodies, is simply amazing.
Sizes of individuals
Many are very surprised when they find out how long the combed crocodile is maximum. In recent decades, in nature, such predators have grown only to sizes of 5.0–5.5 meters in length with a weight of 500 kg. Usually, a newly hatched cub weighs about 70 kg, and subsequently one head of an adult male pulls over all 200 kg. It is worth noting that this freshwater detachment has almost the most pronounced sexual dimorphism. The males of the tuberous crocodile are usually twice as large, heavier and stronger than the females, which, in turn, reach only 2.7-3.4 meters in length and weigh from 70 to 150 kg.
However, such dimensions cannot be considered accurate, because the length of the largest crocodile, caught more than one century ago and having characteristic pointed outgrowths on its mighty back, was about 10 meters, and the weight of the individual fluctuated around 3 tons. This giant was an exception to the rule for scientists, showing that under certain conditions a predator can become a truly awesome giant. In general, since then such giants could no longer be found. There were individuals smaller and shorter. Therefore, it is considered reliable that the combed crocodile has a length of 7 meters. It is up to such maximum sizes that currently some males of this species are able to grow.
Weight
The weight of an adult reptile predator (male), which include a crocodile, can range from 400 kg to 2 tons. The most important factors that affect the mass of a particular representative are the age and length of the crocodile. A young male will always be lighter than an adult predator of the same size. However, it is known that captive crocodiles are gaining mass faster than their free relatives. Also, the weight also depends on the physique. For example, individuals living on the territory of Sarawak (Kalimantan Island, Malaysia) have relatively short tails, which is why they weigh a little more than Australian bumpy crocodiles.
Conclusions of scientists regarding the maximum size of crocodiles
The length of the combed crocodile largely depends on its population, health, genetics and nutrition. This is proved by a study by Australian scientists. They caught males of this species who lived in different conditions and habitats. It turns out that representatives of such predators, who had a permanent habitat, grew up to 4.31 m and weighed from 408 kg. Wandering reptiles could not boast of such dimensions. They reached a length of only 3.89 m and weighed at the same time only about 350 kg.
Five of the longest crocodiles after combed
There are a little more than 20 species of crocodiles in the world. Among them, along with the combed, considered the longest in nature, there are some more individuals worthy of mention:
- Nile crocodile, whose males can grow up to 5 m in length.
- Orinok crocodile with a maximum performance of 4.5-5.0 m.
- American American crocodile, the size of which is from 4 m.
- The black cayman, which grows up to 4.7 m in the wild. By the way, there is evidence that in the nature reserves such beauties managed to feed almost 6 m in length.
- Mississippi Alligator - 4.0-4.5 m.
