Listen for hissing and look for sliding marks where the alligator or crocodile could've reentered the water, but avoid looking for them during dusk and dawn since that's when they're most active.
Pro Tip: If you spot a croc, back away slowly and try not to make sudden movements. Splashing in water will only draw attention. If a crocodile heads your way, run away in a straight line. The myth about moving in a zig-zag motion is just that—a myth.
Check around the sides of the pond for large indentations in the mud or bank. Also, look for a slide area, stretching from the bank into the pond water. These two easily discernible signs indicate an alligator's presence.
Swim only in designated swimming areas and only during daylight hours. Crocodiles are most active between dusk and dawn. Keep pets on a leash and away from the water, even designated swimming areas, because they can resemble the crocodile's natural prey.
All About the Crocodiles
Over 2,000 American crocodiles inhabit the Tárcoles River. The crocodiles in the Tárcoles River are mostly the American species (Crocodylus acutus). These crocodiles can grow to 18 feet long and weigh up to 1,000 pounds. The largest recorded specimen of this species measured 20 feet.
Freshwater crocodiles are only found in Australia, inhabiting the freshwater rivers, lakes and 'billabongs' of northern Australia. Although they can tolerate saltwater, freshies are kept further upstream by the larger saltwater crocodiles.
In the wild
You can see crocs (with some luck) on all the northern coasts of Australia (north of the Tropic of Capricorn). We also heard from the locals that Crocodiles can be found in Burnett River (Great Sandy Strait) and North Mary River. The best place remains the Kakadu National Park in the Northern Territory.
But how quickly can they run? Most crocodiles can achieve speeds of around 12 to 14 kph for short periods, which is somewhat slower than a fit human can run. Don't believe the hype - if you're reasonably fit, you can definitely outrun a crocodile!
"If they've got hold of you, poking the eyes is the only possible way you can fight back - they have thousands of years of instinct telling them this is the only vulnerable part of their body and they need to let go," Mr Cooper says.
What is this? Crocodiles have been known to be as far south as the Mary River in Gympie. This is only about 167km from Brisbane and only 52km from the Great Sandy National Park. More astonishingly, this is a whopping 449km away from the northern points of Queensland where they are typically found.
How can I swim with crocs? There is only one dive organisation in Mexico where you can organise to swim with crocodiles XTC Dive Centre from their dive centre in Xcalak and Yucatan Dive Trek – their sister company that organises the logistics.
When they are cold, they sunbathe, and when they are hot, they go for a swim. This means on a rainy day you may not see as many alligators on land, however, alligators are rather curious creatures which means they will swim up to a boat just to check it out even in the rain.
You should move away from it as quickly as possible. If the alligator grabs you, either by the arm or the leg or the hand, your best option is, you have to fight back. An alligator is less likely to keep attacking something that is fighting back. [If it attacks] the best bet is to go straight for the eyes.
Crocodiles are territorial and have rather complex social structures, something that is very unusual for reptiles. They tend to hunt and raise hatchlings together. To protect their territory and nests, both the male and female crocodile will chase you until you are at a good distance away from what they are protecting.
If you see you're going to come anywhere close to a crocodilian, make noise by slapping the water with your oars or whistling. Stay away from riverbanks when coming around bends in a river, and make your presence known. Crocodiles or alligators basking on the shore may attack in self-defense if you surprise them.
An average crocodile that weighs 700 pounds and measures over 10 feet long is going to be too powerful for a human to overcome.
Their armor-like skin is near impenetrable—no amount of kicking, punching, or other fighting can pierce it—and their heads are solid masses of bone. According to Chris Packham, wildlife presenter and crocodile fan, “there are no weak points” across their bodies So what do you do?
A hippo would win a fight against a crocodile. Although crocodiles are large, powerful creatures, they cannot kill a fully grown hippo. Hippos are large, roundish animals that are much taller than crocodiles. The only place they would be vulnerable to attack is their legs.
Crocodiles cannot bite underwater
They have a palatal valve that seals off the back of the mouth/throat, preventing water entering the lungs when underwater.
Despite the fact they lack the physical adaptations of a climber, crocodiles can climb trees and do it regularly, a new study in Herpetology Notes finds. After studying five crocodilian species on Africa, Australia and North America, the team found that the reptiles can climb as high as six feet off the ground.
The two species with the most well-known and documented reputation for preying on humans are the Nile crocodile and saltwater crocodile, and these are the perpetrators of the vast majority of both fatal and non-fatal crocodilian attacks.
There are thought to be around 200,000 Saltwater Crocodiles in Australia, with the most found in the areas surrounding Darwin and the Mary River. Over the years, they have been hunted for their skins and have almost been brought to extinction on a number of occasions.
Croc country (considered to be typical crocodile habitat) begins at the Boyne River south of Gladstone, and extends northward, up the east coast and across Far North Queensland. Crocodiles can sometimes also be found outside of croc country.
Australia has a large population of crocodiles but as the research noted, there are only an average of 1.9 attacks a year.