MonsterQuest

MonsterQuest: Killer Crocs

KILLER CROCS "THE BIG DEMON"

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BEHAVIOR

About 1,000-2,000 people are killed or maimed by crocodiles every year. Eyewitnesses report that when killer crocs attack humans, they grasp and shake the human head off, then eat the rest of the body, typically leaving the head uneaten.

WHEREABOUTS

The largest croc species is the saltwater crocodile, which lives in Southeast Asia and Australia. The largest known living saltwater crocodile resides in India's Bhitarkanika National Park, in the State of Orissa. Called Mahisasur, or "The Big Demon," this killer croc has wounded and killed dozens of people.

VITAL STATS

Saltwater crocodiles are said to grow no larger than 20 feet, but Mahisasur is believed to be about 23 feet long. Eyewitnesses claim to have seen other massive killer crocs up to 30 feet long and weighing in excess of 2-3 tons. These carnivorous monster reptiles feature long sets of serrated teeth inside a powerful jaw that can generate up to 3,000 pounds of force.

RELATIVES

In prehistoric times the Sarcosuchus imperator, or "SuperCroc," roamed the earth and grew to sizes of up to 40 feet long and 8 tons. The bones of a massive SuperCroc were discovered in Africa in the 1940s. They were dated at more than 100 million years old and suggested a mammoth monster. Supersized crocodiles became extinct at the end of the Cretaceous period, 65 million years ago.

HISTORY

The largest crocodile of modern times before the Big Demon was Kalia, or "The Black One," which resided in India. It was said to be about 20 to 23 feet long, and was shot and killed in 1929 by a local boat captain. When Kalia was autopsied, a number of pieces of jewelry were found inside its stomach, seemingly confirming that it was a maneater. Kalia's skull was 30 inches long and alone weighed about 70 pounds.

MOST RECENT SIGHTING

Recently in India's Bhitarkanika sanctuary, a number of villagers have sighted the massive crocodile Mahisasur. Once, when two young sisters went to the river to wash, Mahisasur grabbed one of the girls. Her sister ran for help, but when she returned with her family the other girl was gone. Her body was never found. Another man says he witnessed Mahisasur open its mouth and swallow an entire deer in one gulp.