Steve Irwin's Last Gift to Croc Science: A Study of Their Surfing Habits

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By Andrew Moseman
Jun 8, 2010 12:45 AMNov 19, 2019 9:07 PM
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Crocodiles like to lurk in the shallows, preparing to pounce. They are not, as a general rule, strong enough swimmers to go on extended ocean cruises whenever they feel like it. Despite this, these creatures managed to reach islands across the South Pacific. How? Surfing. A group of scientists led by Craig Franklin, and including the late "Crocodile Hunter" Steve Irwin, studied saltwater crocs from the Kennedy River area of Northeastern Australia for about a year for a study forthcoming in the Journal of Animal Ecology. The team tagged 20 animals with receivers to give both their position and body temperature.

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