Saltwater Crocodile-Great White Shark interactions

[TheSmok]

I'm really not sure that "shark could move much more freely in water than any croc" if we are talking about large females of great white sharks or large ectothermic shark species. ~5.5 meter specimens demonstrate low maximum burst swimming speed (20-25 km/h) in comparison with ~3.5 meter ones (40 km/h) based on data from Ferrón (2017) paper:

*This image is copyright of its original author

In fact, the recorded burst swimming speed of the larget great white sharks is comparable to the recorded speed of adult saltwater crocodiles (up to 24-29 km/h based on data from Benga et al., 2014). I can assume that the shark can move to the depth and to the surface more freely than crocs, although Nile crocodiles are known to be able to dive up to 60 m and remain active. In addition, the sharks has neutral buoyancy (unlike bony fish, sharks do not have a swim bladder), while the crocodiles has positive or neutral negative (and can control it by hepatic-piston mechanism) and can float to the surface without swimming movements, just like a balloon with air.

Crocodiles are definitely underestimated as active predators. However, in fact crocs actively pursue fish, sea turtles and even marine mammals in deep waters:

*This image is copyright of its original author

*This image is copyright of its original author

From Cott (1961).

Quote:Incredibly, this was the second time I have witnessed such a rare thing. The first time was a few years ago at Dundee Beach, near Darwin in Australia – a crocodile attacked and killed a dolphin after cornering it in a sandbank. Estuarine crocodiles are patient and very effective hunters.

https://bagsofadventure.wordpress.com/20...o-by-boat/

Regarding the difference in size, we must take into account that crocodiles take proportionally larger prey than sharks. I think that the fight between the saltwater crocodile and the great white shark at average/maximum weights will be more controversial than at weight parity. It's hard to choose the winner for me if the shark really wants to kill the crocodile, but in most real interactions is likely that the aggressive saltie would just fight-off the great white and chase it away. Such powerful predators with destructive weapons are unlikely want to fight to the death in order to satisfy the interest of animal fight lovers. Reply