Crocodiles can climb trees, study finds

PBS ^ | February 15, 2014 at 10:29 AM EDT | BY JOSHUA BARAJAS

[Lazamataz]

Despite the fact they lack the physical adaptations of a climber, crocodiles can climb trees and do it regularly, a new study in Herpetology Notes finds.

After studying five crocodilian species on Africa, Australia and North America, the team found that the reptiles can climb as high as six feet off the ground. Juveniles have been spotted as high as 30 feet. Combined with anecdotal evidence in these areas, the researchers found that the smaller crocodiles were able to vertically scale trees, while their larger counterparts relied on angled branches.

[driftdiver]

Really no crocs in Florida. Only gators and they don’t climb.

Now the snakes they climb, and drop into boats from the trees.

That gets your heart goin.

[mkmensinger]

You also have to watch where you parachute!

[rlmorel]

LOL...it isn’t shimmying UP the chimneys I am concerned with...it is the other way...:)

[rlmorel]

I would be carrying one of these: USMC M32A1 40mm grenade launcher

[mylife]

BTW you do know that there is a alligator slough just east of my shooting range. Thank God the Trinity river has 30 foot banks.

http://dallastrinitytrails.blogspot.com/2011/06/trinity-river-alligators.html

[moose07]

Does that come under concealed carry?
:)

[cyn]

(ahem) I hear you on the snakes, but it's not gonna work. Caption of Fig 1 from above-mentioned #37 is "A sub-adult American alligator perching on tree branch in Pearl River Delta, Mississippi."

The photo is posted at #34.

[ransomnote]

lol!

[stboz]

...those nasty Palmetto bugs...

You mean roaches? The big, three inches kind? The ones that fly around at night and land in your hair?

Maybe Kaleephornya ain't so bad after all.

[left that other site]

There ARE crocs in FL. But just in the brackish mangrove swamps near the keys.

[The Cajun]

Seen many a snake sunning themselves in trees while fishing bayous and canals, but ain’t never seen a gator in a tree...........Yet.

[mylife]

But have they seen you?

[miliantnutcase]

Epic win

[Jeff Chandler]

Climb trees

[mylife]

Water Moccisins are always an issue when fishing the river this time of year.
My answer

[mylife]

Sneeky bastards.

[OldPossum]

snakes can climb trees and they don't even have any feet like alligators do.

I have witnessed a black snake go straight up an oak tree.

[Ditter]

I have as well. Saw them climb up into the rafters of the barn and they are living in an unused silo. God only knows how many are in there.

[GopherIt]

Why do they like to drop into boats? Happened to me once .... well, the good part is it dropped into my wife’s canoe ahead of me. The bad part is it dropped into my wife’s canoe ahead of me.

[Lazamataz]

We detour in October.

Daddy needs a new pair of shoes!