Watch out! Researchers find crocodiles are far better at climbing trees on land …

Researchers say the animals are 'spectacularly agile' on land
Can climb upto 5m, and on branches 4m long
Climb for surveillance of their surrounding area

By
Mark Prigg

PUBLISHED:

21:10 GMT, 11 February 2014

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UPDATED:

21:11 GMT, 11 February 2014

Crocodiles and alligators have been found to have an unexpected talent for tree climbing.

Researchers discovered the reptiles, more usually found in the water, could climb as high as five metres.

The claim the animals are 'spectacularly agile' on land.

An American Alligator in Mississippi climbing a high branch

Vladimir Dinets, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of Tennessee, observed crocodile species on three continents—Australia, Africa and North America—and examined previous studies and anecdotal observations.

Some species were observed climbing as far as four meters high in a tree and five meters down a branch.

'Climbing a steep hill or steep branch is mechanically similar, assuming the branch is wide enough to walk on,' the authors wrote.

'Still, the ability to climb vertically is a measure of crocodiles' spectacular agility on land.'

The team believe they use climbing to regulate their heat, and to get a better view.

'The most frequent observations of tree-basking were in areas where there were few places to bask on the ground, implying that the individuals needed alternatives for regulating their body temperature,' the authors wrote.

The researchers said the animals are 'spectacularly agile' and can climb up to 5m on trees

'Likewise, their wary nature suggests that climbing leads to improved site surveillance of potential threats and prey.'

However, they also say the animals use their skills in captivity.

'One adult dwarf crocodile escaped from its enclosure at the Bristol Zoo (UK) by climbing up a tree growing at an angle and then over the barrier.

The team say the crocodiles seen climbing trees often jumped in the water to escape being spotted.

'Australian freshwater crocodiles frequently climb into low branches above the water, either by climbing directly onto the tree close to the water, or by climbing onto the tree from the bank and then along a branch projecting above the water, typically to a height of 1- 2m.'