In Australia, researchers kept detailed records of crocodile attacks and found that between 1971-2004 (a period of 33 years) there were 62 definite, unprovoked attacks, 17 of which were fatal. That averages out to 1.9 attacks each year in Australia.
Crocodile attacks on humans are common in places where large crocodilians are native and human populations live. It has been estimated that about 1,000 people are killed by crocodilians each year.
Fatal attacks
According to Crocodilian attack database CrocBITE, eight women have been killed in crocodile attacks in Australia since 1869, compared to 31 men. People aged between 16 and 35 years are most likely to be victims of crocodile attacks, based on historical data.
One or two people a year are killed by crocodiles in Australia.
Saltwater crocodile attacks DO happen in Australia on a regular basis. (Most attacks are on pets and livestock, but unfortunately there also regular accidents involving humans, and about two per year are fatal.)
There are thought to be around 200,000 Saltwater Crocodiles in Australia, with the most found in the areas surrounding Darwin and the Mary River. Over the years, they have been hunted for their skins and have almost been brought to extinction on a number of occasions.
Crocodilians are often viewed as fearful predators, yet the fear of being eaten is greater than the fear of being bitten. Unprovoked bites from crocodilians happen, yet few cases involve humans as potential prey (IUCN Crocodile Specialist Group).
Horses and cows kill the most humans every year in Australia
It really is no joke.
Where are crocodile attacks most common? Most crocodile attacks occur in sub-Saharan Africa. There are large concentrations of aggressive Nile crocodiles along major waterways that thousands of people use daily.
Nile Crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus)
The species easily claims the title of the most-dangerous crocodilian, since it is widely thought to be responsible for more than 300 attacks on people per year.
Croc country (considered to be typical crocodile habitat) begins at the Boyne River south of Gladstone, and extends northward, up the east coast and across Far North Queensland. Crocodiles can sometimes also be found outside of croc country.
Australia has a few animals that can be extremely dangerous, and the crocodile is high up on that list. You'll find them in the northern parts of Australia, and as the statistics will tell you, they can, and do attack and kill humans.
There have been 46 estuarine crocodile attacks on humans in Queensland since 1975, of which 16 have been fatal.
If a crocodile heads your way, run away in a straight line. The myth about moving in a zig-zag motion is just that—a myth. Crocodiles can move at 10 miles per hour, so remove those flip flops so you can run faster.
But how quickly can they run? 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!
In rare cases, individual crocodilians have been known to bond so strongly with people that they become playmates for years. For example, a man who rescued a crocodile that had been shot in the head became close friends with the animal.
The Mary River in the Northern Territory has 15 crocodiles per km, making it the most densely populated river! The temperature of the egg determines the sex of the animal.
Luzon is one of two Philippine Crocodiles at Melbourne Zoo. Both have contributed to the Australasian region's breeding program and the species' genetic diversity, while raising awareness among zoo visitors. You can see the Luzon up close in Melbourne Zoo's Reptile House 9:30am-4:30pm seven days a week.
Cassowaries have a reputation for being dangerous to people and domestic animals. The 2007 edition of the Guinness World Records lists the cassowary as the world's most dangerous bird.
The Dingo is Australia's largest terrestrial carnivore, though it occasionally eats plants and fruits. They're opportunistic hunters, but will also scavenge food. The bulk of their diet is made up of meat: they eat kangaroos, wallabies, feral pigs, wombats, small mammals (rabbits, rodents), birds and lizards.
Crocodiles will rarely attempt to chase a human on dry land. Crocodiles' speed and agility is mostly dependent on their tail and body and thus works best in the water.
Be extra vigilant around water at night and during the breeding season from September to April. Avoid approaching the edge of the water and don't paddle or wade at the edge of the water. Stay well back from any crocodile slide marks. Crocodiles may be close by and may approach people and boats.
Somewhere along the line, people decided that if a gator or croc is chasing you, your best chance of survival is to run away in a zig-zag motion. It's actually a pretty common idea, one that many of us have probably heard of before.