Galloping in Crocodylus johnstoni—a reflection of terrestrial activity?

Abstract

Crocodylus johnstoni commonly gallop when released after being caught and handled. Galloping is a bounding gait and, in addition to increased velocities, it allows crocodilians to rapidly negotiate obstacles such as rocks and logs when on land. Bound length and gallop velocity both increase with increasing snout-vent length, but not in the same proportion: small C. johnstoni bound more frequently than larger ones.