Salt water crocs

Has anyone here had the opportunity to dive/snorkel with a salt water crocodile? If so, could you offer your thoughts on their behavior around divers? Any dos and don'ts you would advise?

I've been kayaking around Crocodile Lake down in the Keys and have had opportunity to see one. It was pretty docile, allowing me to approach within two feet of it for a photograph until the strobe fired and it took off. This was a small 2 footer though. I'm not likely to intentionally get in the water with a 15 footer but a small one would give me the opportunity to try some split shots and hopefully some underwater shots too. Any advise is greatly appreciated.

Here's a pic of the little guy I saw...

I remember reading a National Geo. a while back that had an article on Saltwater crocs in Australia. The described method to get underwater shots was using a remote, then chasing the croc off to retreive the camera. I have no idea of the temperment of the crocs in FL compared to Australia. There must be some local experts on them, try contact FL Fish & Game. Good luck Laz.

There was an article in UWP mag. Take a look at www.UWPmag.com and browse through the issues. You can download them for free.

EDIT: The issue you want is no. 11.

Good stuff!

Are the saltwater crocs in OZ the same species as in Florida? I thought the ones over here are Alligators and not crocs. At least the ones in TX are alligators and there are a lot of them!

Cheers

James

They have crocs and alligators in FL. A lot more gators though. The crocs are a different species if I remember correctly

They have crocs and alligators in FL. A lot more gators though. The crocs are a different species if I remember correctly

I believe that is the species known as the "American Crocodile".

I've got a picture of myself in PNG standing next to a large female "salty" at a farm with no barrier between me and it. My wife was freaking out as I got closer and closer.

Most of the underwater pics of them that you see are taken with small captive crocs. At Walindi, they will rent one from the local crocodile farm and take it

out on a reef for photographing.

from what i have heard you dont want to be in the water with salt water crocs ... but that was also in australia.

We have both Crocs and Gators in FL. In general Crocs are much more agressive than Gators, but supposedly in florida it is the other way around.

Both the crocs and the gators I have come across have been kind enough to leave me with all my limbs but I dont know If i would be willing to go swimming with either. I think most croc pics are taken with the camera on a pole. But then i'm sure that Steve Irwin has gone swimming with them before and he still has all his fingers.

And a Croc vs Gator comparison of head shape and toothyness.

Croc - I got about 2 feet from this guy and he didnt budge.

Gator

Aligator in its natural habitat.

Crocodile in not so natural habitat.

And just for fun..This croc needs a set of dentures.

Last season the Florida Gators put a crocodile on the cover of it's annual magazine. So apparently they don't know the difference. obtw the Florida Zoology department is suppose to to the world's authority on Alligators.

Great stuff, William. I will have to agree with you too. The crocs I've encountered (both while kayaking) have been kinder than some dogs have been to me - even after foolishly allowing the wind to push the kayak a foot next to it. That was my first opportunity to get some split shots but I was just learning to take photos back then (I still am).

That salt water croc of yours looks like a big one. I don't know if I'd have the nerve to jump in the water with one that big. I'm thinking of a little fella with momma way out of the picture. Where did you shoot that one? I've spoted them in Biscayne Nat'l Park -- near Turkey Point, which they say is quite the breeding ground for them. The one on the photo above was taken near Crocodile Lake off of Card Sound Rd. I've heard from some people that Flamingo Park has plenty of them. Haven't checked Flamingo as I'm afraid of getting eaten alive -- by the mosquitos.

So far what I've learned from other sources is that you should approach them (very slowly) head on. They strike by turning their head to the side. Also you should only approach those physically smaller than you as they are size dominant. Pole cam definitely sounds like the sanest idea.

Thanks for all the advise guys. I truly appreciate it.

The water fountain croc is in the lake on the UM camups. All the others are in the everglades park.

The rivers just north of where I live would be a great place to dive with salt water crocs! I'm talking about real 'salties', not those small lizards you're talking about. There would be no problem at all finding you a croc to photograph.

Cheers,

Rob

P.S. Can I keep your camera and housing if they recover the body?

P.S. Can I keep your camera and housing if they recover the body?

My thoughts exactly.

But shouldn't it be:

P.S. Can I keep your camera and housing if they recover them?

The largest "reputable" record for a wild salt-water crocodile in Australian waters weighed 4400 pounds and was 28 feet long!

(That's about 8.5 meters and nearly two metric tons, for the metrically minded).

:shock: CRIKEY!! :shock:

I'm talking about real 'salties', not those small lizards you're talking about. There would be no problem at all finding you a croc to photograph.

 

Cheers,

 

Rob

 

P.S. Can I keep your camera and housing if they recover the body?

Austrualians do seem to adore their venomous and toothsome critters, their thorny flora ... crocs, snakes, spiders -- grass that can give you infections. I aspire to know the country better.

Don't forget the box jellyfish that can kill a diver in minutes, the blue ringed octopus, the stonefish, the irukandji. And if you survive all that, we sometimes leave you in the water at the end of the dive!

Here's some crocs from sunny cairn's.

Lifted the frames from some video I shot a few weeks ago.

This croc is about 6-8 feet length and is a resident in a local lagoon.

I have found them to be reasonably cautious when a larger animal is approaching them ( read outstreached diver and camera rig ).

Like all situations you must read what is happening at that particular time in that particular moment.

Do not repeat the same thing / action over a number of dives as they are predators with a proven intelligence and the ability to learn a potential food source habits.

They also have patience and lot's of it.

Do not take you eye of them , keep the camera between you and them , remember that they are repltiles and can only have a short burst of energy.

There is a change in them at the 6-8 feet size as they become mature creatures - I certainly wouldn't get in with with one that had started to bulk up.

Good luck.

here's a few more

and more

There is an article in Sport Diving Magazine (Aug/Sep issue) by a Kelvin Aitken

Quote

I strongly advise divers do not seek out crocodiles as a dive experience, do not attempt to dive with them, do not enter or remain in the water with a crocodile in the vicinity - and always treat them with the caution and respect that they deserve

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