Photograph by Gautier Poupeau
Researchers from the University of Tennessee has found that crocodiles can climb trees as far as the crowns.
A team led by Vladimir Dinets, a research assistant professor in the Department of Psychology, is the first to follow up on anecdotal evidence and study the tree climbing abilities or crocodiles, with his study published in the journal Herpetology Notes [PDF].
They found that four species of crocodile in Australia, Africa, and North America climbed trees, with the smaller, more agile animals able to climb high up the tree and further out onto the branches.
The researchers believe that the crocodiles climb trees both to be able to bask in the sunlight for thermoregulation and to obtain a good vantage point from where they can better inspect their surroundings for potential predators or prey.
