# How far can/will an alligator/crocodile run? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [July 31, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891 "2018-07-31T19:38:27Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 15\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2018, 7:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/1 "2018-07-31T19:38:27Z")
Not how fast. How far? I was watching a reptile presentation some years ago and the expert brought up the old canard about running serpentine to outrun a gator/croc because they can’t turn corners. He said, “Just run straight, because this is about as far as they are going to run on land,” and he indicated some short distance on the stage. I bought it, that, despite clever editing on nature documentaries, they’re unable to run for long distances on land, but was curious as to any research as to exactly how far they can run before they’re tuckered out. ---
**Author:** ![Shagnasty](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/9dc877/32.png) [@Shagnasty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Shagnasty)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2018, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/2 "2018-07-31T20:29:59Z")
Alligators are fundamentally lazy and non-confrontational. The most I have ever seen one run is probably about 10 yards or less. Crocodiles are a lot more aggressive than alligators but I can’t speak to those. ---
**Author:** ![Weisshund](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/ba8739/32.png) [@Weisshund](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Weisshund)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2018, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/3 "2018-07-31T20:50:46Z")
Dont know that i would say lazy or non confrontational being endothermic and having a metabolism suited to that, energy is a premium commodity they are not going to waste precious energy on something that does not result in food or saving their life. They also have a much more limited energy storage capacity for that kind of activity compared to you. They can not simply manufacture energy seemingly instantly like you can. But they are also remain extremely dormant for long periods of time and not even breathe, which would cause you to die. ---
**Author:** ![Kimstu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/k/ecd19e/32.png) [@Kimstu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kimstu)\ **Post date:** [July 31, 2018, 9:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/4 "2018-07-31T21:00:50Z")
[Crocodilian Biology Database](http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/cbd-faq-q4.htm): > [@](#): > > There are three main “gaits” (styles of locomotion) that describe how crocodilians get around on land. The “belly crawl” is typically a fairly slow gait in which the crocodile slides over a slippery substrate such as mud, using its legs to push itself along on its belly. However, this gait can be modified to shift that bulky body at impressively high speeds, normally away from a threat. “Belly run” becomes a more appropriate description of this faster gait, where the legs still operate on either side of the body rather than from underneath it. > > The next gait is the “high walk” […] which is uniquely crocodilian - resembling the erect gait of a mammal with the legs directly underneath the animal, rather than the splayed gait of a reptile. This is a slow means of getting around, but it is very useful for picking the bulky body off the floor to negotiate obstacles or to avoid the friction induced by scraping the belly against non-slippery substrates such as soil or rock. […] > > When moving quickly away from a threat, crocodilians employ one of two methods on land. The first is the faster “belly run” which I’ve already mentioned, in which the legs move very rapidly in a typically reptilian pattern to propel the crocodile forward. […] > > The second rapid locomotory gait on land is called “galloping” […] The form of this gallop is quite unique, with front and hind limbs moving as synchronous pairs. […] > > Most crocodiles can achieve speeds of around 12 to 14 kph for short periods, which is somewhat slower than a fit human can run. Don’t believe the hype - if you’re reasonably fit, you can definitely outrun a crocodile! Even faster are galloping crocodiles, and Australian freshwater crocodiles have been clocked at just over 17 kph over distances of perhaps 20 to 30 metres before they begin to tire. […] > > However, crocodiles can accelerate much faster than this over very short distances by exploding into action - I have measured adult saltwater crocodiles (around 4 metres total length) moving at 12 metres per second for a quarter of a second, which is long enough to capture prey standing within one body length before it even has time to react. This is where crocodiles excel - launching themselves into motion from a standing start, hoping to cover the short distance between themselves and their prey before the prey can react. This isn’t running, however, because the crocodile cannot maintain this acceleration for more than a very brief instant. > > Bear in mind that crocodiles do not normally chase their prey - their typical hunting strategy is one of surprise, lunging at prey and capturing it in a single fluid movement. Secondly, crocodiles have a relatively low stamina and their physiology does not permit sustained exercise. When a crocodile runs, it is nearly always away from a potential threat and into the water […] ---
**Author:** ![senoy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/dbc845/32.png) [@senoy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/senoy)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 12:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/5 "2018-08-01T12:31:40Z")
Don’t believe the lies. They can run for hundreds of miles. Once they lock on your scent, they become indefatigable foes, constantly seeking you out. Do not ever look them in the eyes. Once you do, you imprint as a sworn enemy on their tiny minds and they will not stop until they have hunted you down. No amount of distance will deter them. You may be in the shower, years removed from the encounter and you will suddenly hear the toilet flush and will see the shadow of your nemesis looming over you. In one well-documented case, a crocodile was literally killed and stuffed by a European gentleman who had taken to marauding in the Caribbean. The beast still had enough neural capacity despite being dead for quite some time to bide its time and when the opportunity presented itself, it managed to topple itself from the standing posture in which it was mounted and land its monstrous maw directly upon the venerable sea captain. When the dust had cleared, the captain was nowhere to be found and bystanders attest that a sound resembling a belch came from the Brobdingnagian creature’s throat… Either that or just a couple of yards, but do you really want to take the gamble? ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/6 "2018-08-01T12:41:10Z")
> [@senoy](#): > > Don’t believe the lies. They can run for hundreds of miles. Once they lock on your scent, they become indefatigable foes, constantly seeking you out. Do not ever look them in the eyes. Once you do, you imprint as a sworn enemy on their tiny minds and they will not stop until they have hunted you down. No amount of distance will deter them. Baloney, that’s sharks, not crocs! I saw, “Jaws the Revenge”, so don’t try to fool me. Oh, they do have giant crocs in Lake Placid, so you have to be careful there. ---
**Author:** ![Crotalus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/crotalus/32/41_2.png) [@Crotalus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Crotalus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 12:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/7 "2018-08-01T12:48:17Z")
I have had some experience being chased by alligators on land. I think it has happened to me five or six times. In my experience, the only ones that do this are females who are guarding nests. They run about as fast as an average adult human, and they only run 10 to 20 yards from their nest. Their goal appears to be to chase the intruder away from the nest, not to catch and maim. ---
**Author:** ![Banksiaman](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/banksiaman/32/3334_2.png) [@Banksiaman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Banksiaman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 1:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/8 "2018-08-01T13:23:32Z")
And just when you thought it was safe to not go back in the water … Australia and the near-Pacific had mekosuchine crocodilians, which were terrestrial, and one possibly arboreal. The biggest got to ~3 metres, and they may have been ambush predators. Faaaark! ---
**Author:** ![Jonathan\_Chance](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jonathan_chance/32/701_2.png) [@Jonathan\_Chance](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jonathan_Chance)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/9 "2018-08-01T14:19:34Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > I have had some experience being chased by alligators on land. I think it has happened to me five or six times. In my experience, the only ones that do this are females who are guarding nests. They run about as fast as an average adult human, and they only run 10 to 20 yards from their nest. Their goal appears to be to chase the intruder away from the nest, not to catch and maim. This is really it. As I recall, Earl and I both inhabit the land of pain in the ass alligators - otherwise known as South Carolina - and see them frequently. They’re ambush predators. They chase nothing if they can help it. Mostly they’re content with driving people away. ---
**Author:** ![Ludovic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/7ab992/32.png) [@Ludovic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ludovic)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 2:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/10 "2018-08-01T14:23:45Z")
> [@Banksiaman](#): > > And just when you thought it was safe to not go back in the water … Australia and the near-Pacific had mekosuchine crocodilians, which were terrestrial, and one possibly arboreal. The biggest got to ~3 metres, and they may have been ambush predators. > > Faaaark! As well as ursine species with the same hunting habit, at least in Australia. ---
**Author:** ![TSBG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/77aa72/32.png) [@TSBG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TSBG)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2018, 9:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/11 "2018-08-01T21:25:21Z")
So if I’m understanding correctly, I don’t have to outrun you, I just have to outrun the alligator? ---
**Author:** ![Capn\_Carl](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/838e76/32.png) [@Capn\_Carl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Capn_Carl)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/12 "2018-08-02T01:31:51Z")
This thread’s title really needed this ending: “need answer fast”. ---
**Author:** ![Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/earl_snake-hips_tucker/32/3269_2.png) [@Earl\_Snake-Hips\_Tucker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Earl_Snake-Hips_Tucker)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/13 "2018-08-02T13:18:56Z")
Thanks, all! ---
**Author:** ![Jasmine](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/jasmine/32/2964_2.png) [@Jasmine](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Jasmine)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 1:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/14 "2018-08-02T13:29:37Z")
> [@Crotalus](#): > > I have had some experience being chased by alligators on land. I think it has happened to me five or six times. What a lovely place to live. Ever have any small mammals “disappear”? You know, like a dog or a cat? :eek: That’s why I adore winter. It kills or drives away just about everything that creeps and crawls and slithers and bites. 🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/b4bc9f/32.png) [@Ulf\_the\_Unwashed](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ulf_the_Unwashed)\ **Post date:** [August 2, 2018, 3:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/how-far-can-will-an-alligator-crocodile-run/818891/15 "2018-08-02T15:11:43Z")
> [@Jasmine](#): > > Baloney, that’s sharks, not crocs! I saw, “Jaws the Revenge”, so don’t try to fool me. > > Oh, they do have giant crocs in Lake Placid, so you have to be careful there. No: as an occasional visitor to Lake Placid I can assure you that they are NOT CROCS. They are giant tennis shoes.