It’s no secret that crocodiles are carnivores, given their large and powerful jaws. These aquatic reptiles can live in fresh and salt water, which makes their food sources unique.
So, what do crocodiles eat? Crocodiles eat small mammals, birds, fish, insects, frogs, other reptiles and crustaceans.
But how much food must a crocodile eat to survive? And are people in danger if a hungry crocodile is around? Let’s learn more about these reptiles together!

What does a crocodile eat?
Crocodiles are carnivores and eat a variety of things such as small mammals, birds, fish, insects, frogs, other types of reptiles and crustaceans.
Wild crocodiles are beneficial carnivores, capable of eating any prey they happen to come across. They have even been known to eat humans from time to time, but more on that later!
The bigger the crocodile, the bigger the prey. According to a study conducted by the Northern Australia Environmental Resources Hub, saltwater crocodiles have been known to eat large wildebeest and even other crocodiles!
Given the many species of crocodiles found around the world, their specific diet varies from region to region. However, this doesn’t change one simple fact that applies to all crocodile species: they are all carnivores!
A Complete List of 11 Foods Crocodiles Eat

Depending on the location and the season, crocodiles can eat different things. They are opportunistic carnivores and they will eat anything they come across if they are hungry.
Here is a full list of foods crocodiles eat:
Crocodiles in captivity, such as in zoos or aquariums, eat a slightly different diet than wild crocodiles. Whatever happens, their diet is based on meat.
A captive crocodile in a zoo will often eat:
- mice
- rats
- raw chicken
- Raw meat
- Fish
Whether in captivity or in the wild, crocodiles are very opportunistic eaters and they also like to eat dead animals or carcasses.
Given the size of many species of crocodiles, you may be wondering how much a crocodile needs to eat to survive. Let’s see now!
How much does a crocodile eat?
A crocodile eats an average of 2-5 pounds of meat per day, or about 5% of its body weight per week. However, it depends on the overall size of the crocodile and the amount of food available to them. A crocodile with a lot of prey around can eat a lot more than 2 pounds of meat in a day!
According to the Journal of HerpetologyAn adolescent crocodile should eat at least 4% of its body weight weekly, depending on its size, while a captive crocodile should eat at least four times that amount.
Crocodiles usually need less food than warm-blooded mammals, but this doesn’t mean they don’t feast on food or stuff themselves. They are one of the few predators that cannot tear their food into smaller pieces – they must eat their meals whole.
Crocodiles are not picky eaters in the least. They will eat almost anything that crosses their path or cannot swim. Depending on the location of the species and the current weather, crocodiles will eat different things.
For example, crocodiles will eat a lot more fish and aquatic animals during wet and rainy months, while they will have to eat more land mammals during the drier months. Whatever happens, if a crocodile can put the unsuspecting prey in its jaws, it will do its best to eat it!

Are crocodiles dangerous to humans?
Yes, crocodiles can indeed be dangerous to humans. This is because they are such opportunistic predators, able to eat anything smaller than them. The bigger the crocodile, the more likely it poses a danger to us as humans.
According to an article from JSTOR Daily, high tide is one of the most dangerous times for people and their livestock when they live in an area with saltwater crocodiles. There’s little to stop these carnivores from snagging a meal, especially from an unsuspecting person!
Many experts agree that avoiding large crocodile species is in our best interests as humans. Even smaller crocodiles are known to be dangerous – a crocodile’s powerful jaws are nearly impossible to escape, and these large carnivores can move surprisingly fast.
How does a crocodile hunt?

Crocodiles hunt in stealthy groups and from waterways in unique ways. They are often mistaken for logs or trees in the water, and they use this to their advantage. Crocs stalk unsuspecting prey on the shore or even in the water.
Crocodiles have even been known to trick birds and other animals with branches or distractions. Group hunting is also common in crocodiles, especially with larger prey. Once a crocodile bites its victim, it’s unlikely to let go!
One of the other unique ways that crocodiles hunt is by drowning. If they catch a bird or mammal with drinking water at the river’s edge, a crocodile will drag their prey with them and eventually use the water to their advantage.
Crocodiles also lose a lot of teeth while hunting during their lifetime. Depending on the species and how difficult it is for them to hunt, a crocodile can lose and replace as many as 7,000 teeth before dying.
The strong jaws of a crocodile is what makes them such successful hunters. Able to bite with at least 1,000 pounds of pressure, most prey cannot escape such a grasp. Think twice the next time you see a crocodile in the wild – you may want to give their teeth a wide berth!