Giant crocodile

A giant crocodile was a larger and more powerful version of a crocodile.

Description
Giant crocodiles were giant, beastly crocodiles. They were as physically strong as hill giants and were exceptional swimmers, both above and beneath the surface of water. Underneath the surface, they could hold their breath for up to half an hour. In both scenarios, they were quite stealthy for their size and bulk. Giant crocodiles could grow up to long; the older they were, the larger they got. In some environs, they were very rare, but in others they were common (though still much rarer than their smaller cousins).

Combat
These beasts purely relied on their natural weapons: ferocious bites and whips of their tails. Their bites grappled opponents until they found the strength to break out, and their quick tail whips could knock enemies prone. They were able to sneak up on prey and surprise them before launching an assault.

History
In 1357 DR, a giant-crocodile-riding quasit roamed the sewers of Waterdeep.

In 1374 DR, these creatures were used as guardians for the Shadowscale Warren in the Shadow Swamp.

Ecology
Much like their smaller versions, giant crocodiles either lived on their own or in small colonies.

Diets
These huge creatures often hunted inhabitants that lurked in saltwater environments, such as sharks and small-sized whales. They were also known to attack fishing boats by trying to capsize them, and then eat all the already-caught fish.

Habitats
Giant crocodiles were spotted in many places over Toril in the continents of Faerûn,   Maztica, and Zakhara. Beyond the Zakharan mainland, giant crocodiles could be found in the Crowded Sea on the island of Djinni's Claws.

In the Kara-tur region, they could be found in the rivers of Akari island.

Outside of the Prime Material plane, they were noted to dwell in the Shadow Swamp in the Plane of Shadow.

Usage
The crushed scales of these giant beasts were used in the powerful jungle avatar spell by Zakharan priests.

Notable Giant Crocodiles

 * Kheshebik, a giant crocodile that was believed to be an avatar of Semuanya by the Khoroshen lizardfolk tribe.

Trivia

 * Sebek of the Mulhorandi pantheon was known to appear as a giant crocodile. As such, his worshipers believed that the smile of such a creature showed that they were either favored or disfavored. Some of his prominent worshipers gained the ability to transform into these creatures.
 * Those who specialized in sea-based magic could summon a giant crocodile with the spell monster summoning V.

Appearances

 * Adventures
 * Curse of the Azure Bonds • Dungeon #113, "Practical Magic" • Tomb of Annihilation
 * Video Games
 * Secret of the Silver Blades &bull; Forgotten Realms: Unlimited Adventures