What Is a Crocodile's Diet?

The crocodile is a strict carnivore. It will eat fish, birds, turtles, cattle, buffalo and virtually any other animal it can take down and devour. This can include human beings. Crocodiles have survived since the age of dinosaurs as an important part of the world's ecology, and they are often the top predator in their habitat.

Crocodiles are opportunistic feeders and make little distinction between carrion (dead animals) and live prey.

  1. History

    • Crocodiles shared the world with dinosaurs, 150 million years ago.

      Crocodiles are an ancient species, and shared the world with the dinosaurs 150 million years ago. Certain Jurassic and Cretaceous specimens could reach up to 40 feet long (the largest of this variety, labeled Sarcosuchus imperator, has been nicknamed "Supercroc" in popular media.)

      Ancient crocodiles also appear to have been more comfortable and efficient on land than crocodiles today, although they were equally adept in aquatic environments. With larger size came bigger feeding requirements, and as a result, they are believed to have fed on nutritional sources including fish, birds and small dinosaurs.

    Features

    • A baby crocodile. Note the teeth.

      Young crocodiles are, like their adult variety, opportunistic feeders and will consume any animal they can get. Young specimens, however, are small--measuring only a few inches in length from snout to tail. As a result, they will feed on insects, frogs, small fish and even tiny crabs. As they grow, so do their metabolic requirements and their capacity to take down larger game.

    Feeding habits

    • Crocodiles typically feed by the edge of bodies of water, such as rivers. In regions like Africa, animals must eventually come to rivers to sate their thirst. Crocodiles will lie in wait, just below the water or with their eyes showing above the water-line, and will lunge at their prey.

      If an attack is successful, crocodiles will drag their prey underwater and drown it. The meat is consumed at the crocodile's leisure.

    Teeth

    • A pair of crocodiles showing their powerful teeth.

      Because crocodiles often feed on live prey, their teeth have become streamlined through evolution to penetrate and hold what they've grasped. Teeth are extremely sharp, and crocodilian jaw strength is powerful. Depending on the species, adult crocodiles can have anywhere from 60 to more than 100 teeth, and lost teeth are quickly replaced by new ones. Teeth are also regularly positioned so that there is very little space when a crocodile closes its jaws, adding to its effectiveness when seizing prey.

    Considerations

    • While crocodiles are capable of feeding all year long, they are affected by seasonal changes and will abstain during dry and/or cold seasons. In fact, cold temperatures inhibit their ability to digest and meat will rot in their stomachs.

      Like all reptiles, their low metabolic rate means they can slowly digest meals. This is an advantage in regions of the world where food is scarce. As crocodiles are stealthy hunters, they use little energy when making a kill. Unlike a cheetah, for instance, there is rarely a chase of any kind involved, and the successful crocodile can bask in the sun and enjoy digesting his meal for days or weeks.