Scientists discover saltwater crocodiles are rad surfers!

The coolest reptile on the planet just got cooler.

When I was a young boy in Papua New Guinea, I was told to beware of the dangerous saltwater crocodile. The prehistoric beasts are known man-eaters and can run very fast on land and so I was taught to run in a zigzag, if ever pursued, because apparently saltwater crocodiles cannot run zigzags very well.

They are also, apparently, relatively poor swimmers.

And, thus, scientists have been confused for years as to how the large reptiles ended up on so many different islands including, but not limited to, Papua New Guinea.

Well, advancements in technology have finally unlocked the riddle. Saltwater crocodiles, you see, are adept surfers. The aforementioned scientists affixed sonar things to multiple crocs and gathered data points which showed the surfing.

According to IFL Science:

For a croc, it seems “surf’s up” is within an hour of the tide changing, as this was the window during which they would begin long-distance travel. Doing so meant they could essentially surf ocean currents, and when the tide died down again, they’d haul themselves onto a riverbank and wait for the tide to change.

Their adventures took them vast distances, regularly traveling over 50 kilometers (31 miles) from their home to the river mouth and even out into the open sea. Such trips were completed in bursts of 10-kilometer (6.2-mile) stretches while the surf was good.

So there you have it.

Now, are you pleased to come to BeachGrit and learn such fine party conversation starters or… not pleased?

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