Snap,
crackle,
pop.
The harmless log that just floated by you
has turned into a
jaw-snapping death machine.
A crocodile may swim by unassumingly
but make no mistake,
they are on the hunt
for their next prey.
Crocodiles have heightened smell,
sight and hearing,
and can hold their breath
for over an hour.
Their ability to lurk underwater
makes them the third
most dangerous predator
in all of Africa.
The freshwater Nile crocodile
is one of the deadliest animals
on the Nile River,
with a wildlife carcass count
only behind that of lions
and hippos.
The good news is,
only seven of the 23 known croc species
are considered dangerous to humans.
The bad news is,
the one in front of you
is one of those seven,
and it's very, very hungry.
Crocodiles can be extremely aggressive
and can weigh more than
900 kg (2,000 lb)
with an average length of
5.8 meters (19 feet).
When one tries to get you,
it's estimated to be 100 times
deadlier than a shark attack.
Just because you don't live in Africa
doesn't mean you shouldn't worry
about encountering a croc.
Crocodiles can also be found
on three other continents,
including the Americas, Asia and Australia.
And don't let their short legs fool you.
These beasts can swim
up to 32 km/h (20 mph)
and can run up to
almost 18 km/h (11 mph).
Hopefully, you are on land
and can run fast in a straight line.
Or at least faster
than the person next to you.
A crocodile's eyes are extra vulnerable,
as Australian survivor
Stephen Moreen discovered.
After being pulled into water
by this ferocious brute,
Moreen managed to
jab the crocodile in the eyes,
giving him time
to swim away from certain death.
Gouge or poke the eyes
with all of your strength.
Go for its ears, nostrils,
and if one of your limbs
is already in its mouth,
go for the palatal valve.
That's the flap of skin that covers
the back of a croc's throat.
By striking at this valve repeatedly,
water will get in
and start to drown your foe.
And remember, time is of the essence.
A crocodile's jaw can generate up to
34,500 kPa (5,000 PSI) of pressure
and is fifty times stronger
than a human's bite.
They can savagely tear into anything
from flesh to bone
in mere seconds.
Don't waste your precious energy
trying to open the croc's jaw.
Once it's locked, no amount of struggle
will release it.
Keep your energy for the real fight.
Once clenched in the jaws, it will toss
you around harshly to position you.
This enables the croc
to tip its head back and quickly
slide you down its ample throat.
If this move fails, get prepared
for the upcoming death roll.
Hold your breath as it pulls you
beneath the water
and roll in the same direction as the croc,
without fighting against it.
If you want to avoid limb loss
and extensive injuries, that is.
It isn't called the death roll for nothing.
This maneuver allows the crocodile
to drown its prey
and forcibly rip off any pesky limbs.
It likes a streamline snack to swallow whole
cause its powerful jaws don't chew well.
Death rolls take a lot of energy
so the croc will need to rest
before trying again.
Use this brief pause to immediately fight
with more gusto.
It may be your last chance to do so.
If you're on land before an attack occurs,
it's imperative you do not
let a crocodile drag you into nearby water.
Grab a tree, a rock,
or anything else you can
to hold your ground.
You don't want this deadly creature
to pull you
to the dark depths of its natural habitat.
With an incredible ability
to hold its breath underwater,
this is where the crocodile
is most comfortable
to kill its prey.
Here in the murkiness, it will take
whatever time is necessary
to overpower and drown you.
Scream, make noise,
do whatever you have to do
to let people know
where you are and what is happening.
Others arriving on the scene
might encourage the croc
to retreat from its treat.
Keep in mind, this animal's
apex predatory instincts are strong,
evolving from the prehistoric period
and becoming its
own species 55 million years ago.
Since the crocodile is a
risk-averse, opportunistic carnivore,
it wants an easy ambush to kill
and satisfy its voracious appetite.
Waiting patiently for days
at the water's edge
to suddenly and unpredictably
attack defenceless prey
is what it knows best.
Don't give it the chance to succeed.
With any luck, you won't be attacked
by other prehistoric creatures.
But to be prepared and stay alive,
keep watching How to Survive.