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Why do crocodiles roar during the breeding season?

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Illustration of an estuarine or saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) with its mouth open, showing scaly skin and powerful limbs, alongside a scale bar for size reference. — crocodile Estuarine, or saltwater, crocodile (*Crocodylus porosus*), found in brackish waters from Sri Lanka, India, Bangladesh, and Myanmar east to the Solomon Islands and Vanuatu and south to Australia.

During the breeding season, both male and female crocodiles produce a loud roar as part of their vocalization and communication efforts. When a crocodile roars, it tenses its body muscles, causing its head and tail to rise high out of the water, while its flanks vibrate with such intensity that water is sprayed into the air.1

While these roars are a known behavior during the breeding season, they can also be triggered by various loud noises, such as motors, gunshots, or even people mimicking the sounds. In the related case of alligators, similar bellowing roars are used to establish breeding territories and to attract potential mates. These vocalizations are one component of a broader, complex courtship process that may also involve physical touch, changes in body profile, and the use of chemical signals.123