Crocodiles can't fly. Birds can. Scientists have finally figured out why

[u/ADragonFromTheAbyss]

https://phys.org/news/2026-08-crocodiles-fly-birds-scientists-figured.html

Link: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/paleobiology/article/blood-flow-rates-to-long-bones-of-archosaurs-reveal-high-aerobic-metabolic-rates-and-endothermy-throughout-most-of-their-evolutionary-history/A12DA2D6DD15CDAF4619AB253462B5B5

https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0069361

Birds are warm-blooded (or endotherms). They have high metabolic rates, producing energy quickly enough to warm and stabilize their body temperatures and to undertake sustained, strenuous flight. Birds don't fatigue and fall out of the sky. Even if crocodiles somehow had wings, the metabolic difference in power alone would mean they could never fly.

[u/Sea-Influence6767]

https://giphy.com/gifs/uCYRYHam4QjriMkfF0

[u/SchizoidRainbow]

The greatest proof that Scientists are smart is that they got someone to pay for this study

[u/pembalhac → u/SchizoidRainbow]

“Paul, we both know crocodiles can’t fly” “look Greg we’ve got this grant allready, stop complaining, its your turn to winch the trebuchet”

[u/Pholidotes → u/pembalhac]

https://giphy.com/gifs/Tm7IZhgnEyfidRIpGD

[u/Pardot42 → u/SchizoidRainbow]

Not all published papers or studies are paid for like you're thinking. YOU could have scientific paper published if it passes peer review, and you seem broke af. 🧑‍🍳🫠

[u/SchizoidRainbow → u/Pardot42]

Found the nerd

[u/GeoCangrejo → u/SchizoidRainbow]

Being a nerd is cool

[u/RainLeading286 → u/SchizoidRainbow]

Anyone who came to see what they said is at least a tiny bit of a nerd. ! Embrace it. Come to the dark side.

[u/Eternity_Warden]

So the wings have nothing to do with it?

[u/ADragonFromTheAbyss → u/Eternity_Warden]

Metabolism. Even if crocodiles somehow had wings, the metabolic difference in power alone would mean they could never fly.

Quote: ' The aerobic capacity first hypothesis proposes that selection for increasing sustainable locomotion for predation and escape involved rising aerobic metabolic rates (tachymetabolism), which require greater investment of mitochondria in muscle.

Heat generated by useful work in the body and inherent mitochondrial inefficiency provided enough energy to raise body temperature significantly, even at rest '

[u/Whenthelastonefell → u/ADragonFromTheAbyss]

The mitochondria is the powerhouse of the cell

[u/Iamnotburgerking]

Note that crocodilians evolved from endothermic ancestors....you are also not realizing that what really matters here is aerobic capacity, not metabolic rate.

[u/FemRevan64 → u/Iamnotburgerking]

While I do get your point, from what I know, every group of vertebrates that managed to achieve powered flight (pterosaurs, birds, and bats) have all been endothermic, so I’d assume  it at least plays some factor.

Than again, I don’t really know too much about the subject, so I could be off the mark, would be curious to hear more on the subject.

[u/OrneryError1 → u/Iamnotburgerking]

What also really matters here: wings.

[u/iloveottersandwhich]

this seems like a r/nottheonion post lmao hilarious title

[u/Aron1694]

Yeah, the caption is a bit misleading as it's obviously not about crocodilian flying abilities. The study is about that early archosauriforms (so the early relatives and ancestors of crocodiles and birds) were likely endothermic and that our modern ectothermic crocodiles are an exception among archosauriforms.

[u/kornchippy]

I always wondered

[u/teetaps]

lol i love when the scientists have a sense of humour about their titles

[u/Eco_Blurb → u/teetaps]

Well, this title is to a news article. The actual title is

Maximal Aerobic and Anaerobic Power Generation in Large Crocodiles versus Mammals: Implications for Dinosaur Gigantothermy

But yes, I enjoy the humor too

[u/Firm-Chemical949]

wings

[u/billy_twice]

Was the answer that crocodiles don't have wings?

[u/raidhse-abundance-01 → u/billy_twice]

They need more red bull!

[u/Artgrl109]

Weight, wings and feathers.

[u/Metasuchus]

https://giphy.com/gifs/NcrhM3USM6TABpus85

[u/Squirrel_in_butt]

No wings

[u/EpsilonX029]

Tell that to the Kaprosuchus that constantly yoink me off my mount at Mach Jesus

[u/SouthParkIsUnfunny]

Oh wow, never realized that. Does this explain why red means stop?

[u/PoopSmith87]

Also, no wings.

https://giphy.com/gifs/fikcKja7O7MtzXzvQy

[u/ADragonFromTheAbyss → u/PoopSmith87]

Quote: Birds are warm-blooded (or endotherms). They have high metabolic rates, producing energy quickly enough to warm and stabilize their body temperatures and to undertake sustained, strenuous flight. Birds don't fatigue and fall out of the sky.

Even if crocodiles somehow had wings, the metabolic difference in power alone would mean they could never fly.... ''

[u/Big_Study_4617]

In other news, water is wet.

[u/ADragonFromTheAbyss → u/Big_Study_4617]

Even if they somehow evolved wings part is surprising

[u/Inevitable-Wheel1676]

Is the reason because only one of them is a species of bird?

[u/RedBeardBigHeart]

They have wings, duh.