DNA Tests: Saltwater Crocodiles Swam at Least 3000 Kilometers Through Ocean - How Giant Crocodiles Crossed 3,000 Kilometres to Reach the Seychelles

Saltwater crocodiles once made an extraordinary journey across the Indian Ocean to reach the Seychelles. A new study reveals these reptiles travelled at least 3,000 kilometres from distant coasts. The findings challenge earlier beliefs about crocodile migration and species classification in the region.

Researchers discovered that the Seychelles crocodile was not a unique species. Instead, it belonged to the wider saltwater crocodile population. The study, published in Royal Society Open Science, traced their origins to the Australian coast and Indonesian islands like Tanimbar and Sumba.

Saltwater crocodiles possess specialised glands that allow them to survive in saltwater for long periods. This adaptation enabled them to undertake such vast ocean crossings. Weighing up to a ton, they are the largest living crocodile species, further aiding their endurance during migration.

The journey of at least 3,000 kilometres highlights their remarkable ability to traverse open water. These findings provide new insights into how the species spread across the Indian Ocean region.

The study confirms that saltwater crocodiles reached the Seychelles through long-distance ocean travel. Their survival in saltwater and immense size played key roles in this migration. The research reshapes understanding of crocodile distribution and evolutionary history in the area.