Which would win in a fight between a crocodile and a lion?
It appears many are divided on this contentious issue. I sent this email to Steve Irwin (aka The Crocodile Hunter) to settle this once and for all and have not heard back from him. I am therefore throwing it open for discussion on MadJacks.
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Steve & Teri,
Wonder if you could shed some light on a serious question I have. Which would win in a fight: An Australian Saltwater Crocodile, the largest and most aggressive of all reptiles, or a full grown male Lion, the king of the jungle.
The contest would take place inside the famous coliseum in Rome and would resemble a no-rules grudge match fight to the death. We also assume that the lion and the croc actually have the intention of killing each other.
It is my contention that, in this environment, the lion would circle the croc, pulling its tail and wearing it out until the croc couldn't resist. At which point the lion would leap on the crocs back and kill it.
The basis of this theory depends on the croc wearing out. On an episode of your show, you trapped a large croc and moved it away from a populated area.
The croc was putting up somewhat of a struggle and, if I remember correctly, you were concerned about the possibility of death from lactic acid build-up in the croc's system.
Lactic acid build-up, and its debilitating effects on the croc, is the foundation of my arguement in favor of the lion in this contest. What is your take on the effects of lactic acid build-up in a croc's system in the context of a battle to the death with a lion?
The opposing "croc-centric" view is that the croc would be quick enough to catch the lion in its jaws and then death-roll it to pieces. I believe that this view rests on the notion that a lion would charge a croc and attack it directly. In that circumstance, I agree, a croc could do significant damage
to a lion; however, I think that lions are more cautious than that against opponents where they know injury could result.
Also, if you think that the lion would win, what if it was raining? Would that change your answer?
I have one more question for you. A "croc-centric" proponent raised the issue that crocs are fast and can reach speeds of up to 40 mph (64 kmph).
What is the top land speed for a full sized salty and how long can a croc travel at maximum velocity? I thought that perhaps a freshy or a small salty could run that fast, but I'm skeptical that a full sized salty could keep that speed over any meaningful distance.
Thank you for any assistance you can provide in this matter.
PS - You might consider mentioning this question on the show along with a discussion of your conclusion. The world needs to know once and for all.
It appears many are divided on this contentious issue. I sent this email to Steve Irwin (aka The Crocodile Hunter) to settle this once and for all and have not heard back from him. I am therefore throwing it open for discussion on MadJacks.
_______________________
Steve & Teri,
Wonder if you could shed some light on a serious question I have. Which would win in a fight: An Australian Saltwater Crocodile, the largest and most aggressive of all reptiles, or a full grown male Lion, the king of the jungle.
The contest would take place inside the famous coliseum in Rome and would resemble a no-rules grudge match fight to the death. We also assume that the lion and the croc actually have the intention of killing each other.
It is my contention that, in this environment, the lion would circle the croc, pulling its tail and wearing it out until the croc couldn't resist. At which point the lion would leap on the crocs back and kill it.
The basis of this theory depends on the croc wearing out. On an episode of your show, you trapped a large croc and moved it away from a populated area.
The croc was putting up somewhat of a struggle and, if I remember correctly, you were concerned about the possibility of death from lactic acid build-up in the croc's system.
Lactic acid build-up, and its debilitating effects on the croc, is the foundation of my arguement in favor of the lion in this contest. What is your take on the effects of lactic acid build-up in a croc's system in the context of a battle to the death with a lion?
The opposing "croc-centric" view is that the croc would be quick enough to catch the lion in its jaws and then death-roll it to pieces. I believe that this view rests on the notion that a lion would charge a croc and attack it directly. In that circumstance, I agree, a croc could do significant damage
to a lion; however, I think that lions are more cautious than that against opponents where they know injury could result.
Also, if you think that the lion would win, what if it was raining? Would that change your answer?
I have one more question for you. A "croc-centric" proponent raised the issue that crocs are fast and can reach speeds of up to 40 mph (64 kmph).
What is the top land speed for a full sized salty and how long can a croc travel at maximum velocity? I thought that perhaps a freshy or a small salty could run that fast, but I'm skeptical that a full sized salty could keep that speed over any meaningful distance.
Thank you for any assistance you can provide in this matter.
PS - You might consider mentioning this question on the show along with a discussion of your conclusion. The world needs to know once and for all.
