Can Alligators Jump?
Answer at a Glance: Alligators can jump. They leap vertically out of the water to catch prey. They can also leap on land. The larger the alligator, the further they can leap. [1]
Dig Deeper:
- The Alligator’s Powerful Tail Helps It Jump
- How High Can an Alligator Jump?
- Can Alligators Jump Into Boats?
If you’ve ever visited a gator park, you’ve likely experienced the thrill of witnessing an alligator or crocodile jumping. For instance, Gatorland in Florida hosts a show called “Gator Jumparoo,” where professional trainers coax some of the largest alligators in the world to leap four feet or more out of the water. It’s a truly exhilarating sight, but it’s important to remember that this is a show put on by professionals and not something to be attempted with wild alligators. [2]
The Alligator’s Powerful Tail Helps It Jump
An alligator’s powerful tail is a versatile tool, used both offensively and defensively. It doesn’t rely on its legs to swim like other animals. Instead, it pulls its legs toward its body and uses its tail as a propeller to glide through the water. When it needs to, it can use this same tail to launch out of the water to capture prey. And when threatened, its tail becomes a formidable weapon to strike at its opponent, showcasing the strength and power of these creatures. [3]
How High Can an Alligator Jump?
How high an alligator can jump depends on its size. According to the Crocodile Specialist Group, alligators and crocodiles can jump almost their entire body length out of the water. [4] Accounts from several YouTubers who filmed alligators jumping out of the water report witnessing heights of three to eight feet.
Can Alligators Jump Into Boats?
Here is a scary proposition. First-hand accounts report that alligators can and do jump into boats. One such incident, in which an alligator jumped onto a tourist boat, was caught on video. Although it was scary, it seemed that the alligator felt threatened and lashed out but then seemed frightened and immediately attempted to get off. (Watch Video of Alligator Jumping In Airboat!!!)
Incidents of alligators or crocodiles jumping into boats are rare and often surprising. In another incident in Australia, a 13-foot crocodile leaped into a fisherman’s 10-foot boat, lost its balance, and tumbled back into the water. A wildlife officer with the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI), called the situation “unusual” adding that the incident is not typcial behavior. [5]
Can Alligators Jump On Land
Alligators are also capable of jumping on land. They will typically propel themselves with their back legs, stretching and utilizing their length to gain height. Gatorland, in Orlando, Florida, posted a video of Ricardo, a critically endangered Cuban Crocodile, jumping from a stretch of grass. (Watch “Amazing Jumping Skills of the Cuban Crocodile.”)
References
- [1] Britanncia.com – “A Saltwater Crocodile Jumping from Water to Get Food.”
- [2] University of Florida Extension “Living with Alligators: A Florida Reality.”
- [3] Britannica Kids – “Crocodile.”
- [4] Crocodile Specialist Group – “Crocodilian Attacks.”
- [5] Live Science – “Eyes Coming Straight for Me: Huge crocodile launches itself into boat with jaws wide open in strange attack.”
Related Products
Alligators: The Illustrated Guide to Their Biology, Behavior, and Conservation Hardcover – Illustrated
by Kent A. Vliet (Author), Wayne Lynch (Photographer)
In this fascinating account, richly illustrated with more than 150 photographs from award-winning wildlife photographer Wayne Lynch, expert zoologist Kent A. Vliet introduces readers to the biology, ecology, and natural history of the American alligator.