Large crocodiles are terrifying.
- Unlike many other predators, large crocodiles are natural predators of Homo sapiens. Wolves, bears, sharks, lions, etc. do not normally hunt people. Tigers are more prone to it, but crocodiles? They have been gobbling up people visiting the water's edge since the dawn of our species.
- Crocodiles grow to enormous size; salties can grow to over 20 feet and 2000 pounds, and while Nile Crocodiles are smaller, they're still pretty hefty. An 800 pound male is already larger than most land predators.
- Crocodiles are numerous. Unlike many other large predators, they will happily share territory with others of their own kind, and Nile crocodiles lay dozens of eggs per clutch. They also cover a massive geographic area in Africa, Asia, and Australia.
- Crocodiles hunt at the banks of bodies of freshwater, putting them in close proximity with humans, especially in poorer areas and especially children.
- Crocodiles are ambush predators. They can sprint at a decent gait, but their main advantage while hunting is that you don't see them coming.
- Crocodiles have evolved to kill large struggling mammals with maximum efficiency. In addition to their size, they have tough hide and the strongest bite in the animal kingdom. And then there's the infamous "death roll", when they spin their prey around underwater to simultaneously disorient the victim and rip it to shreds. People often fight off shark attacks, and even big cats can be repelled. Crocs? If one grabs you and pulls you into the water, you are dead.
There is a reason crocodiles kill more people than any other large predator.