Alligator and Crocodile Dream Interpretation

Dream #1:
“I saw a crocodile in the water. I was in Africa I think; someone came over to see it who knew all about crocodiles/alligators because he lived among them, but then some lady came over too to look at the croc who thought she knew the croc better and used all these scientific terms as she looked at it. I disliked the woman and left..” (R.)

Dream #2:
“In my dream my dad and brother hunted some dead crocodiles from an overflowing river and I was wondering what this dream might mean?” (C.)

Dream #3:
“I saw a crocodile in my dream which swallowed away my sister (pregnant or 7 months now). I saw the crocodile and hence I did not get into the water and when I turn around and look for my sister I suddenly see her in the water and it swallows her. I was so scared for a long time and could not close my eyes for almost 1 hr after this dream. I felt as if it happened really in front of my eyes. Please tell me what this indicates.” (N.)

You’d be surprised to know how common alligator and crocodile dreams are; in fact, alligator and crocodile dream symbols are at the top of my site searches every month. Why is this? I believe that, due to the universal human experience with these large aquatic reptiles as predators, they represent hidden danger.

Nearly everyone harbors, at one time or another, a fear or suspicion about the hidden dangers in our lives. Danger and threats come in various forms and can appear in all sectors of our world, including the physical (health and body), financial, professional/job, family (divorce, abuse, children), emotional (love, relationships, crisis), spiritual (life direction, religious).

Alligators versus Crocodiles
There are differences between alligators and crocodiles, but because the average layperson is unaware of them, they typically report these reptiles interchangeably in dreams. To read more about the differences and dream symbol significance of each, should you be one who can recall the specific family of crocodilia in your dream, please read “Alligator Crocodile Dream Symbol.” It is important to note that gators and crocs don’t always symbolize danger; alligators, especially, can remind us to develop a thicker skin and not become overly sensitive. But in these dreams, the message is perceived danger.

Onto these short but curious dreams. Here are the symbols:

Dream #1:
Crocodile. Possible hidden danger.
Crocodile expert. One who knows these dangers because he “lives among them.”
Lady who knew it all. A woman who is warning the dreamer about the true dangers of these threats.
Disliking her and walking away. Dreamer does not care for the woman who is giving the unsolicited advice and dreamer ignores her.

The interpretation:
In the dreamer’s waking life, she has feelings for someone who could be potentially dangerous to her. Another person who understands the type of person he is offers to help her understand him. This person is in the same social crowd so he knows a lot about the mentality of the guy. However, a woman who thinks she has the “real” scoop on such types of men gave her the “411” or her wisdom and experience regarding the threat. But the dreamer did not care for her know-it-all attitude or what she had to say so the dreamer chooses to ignore her.

Dream #2:
Father and brother. In this dream, the father and brother represent her real life family members.
Hunting. In this scenario, the hunting indicates the father and brother’s protective feelings and efforts to “hunt down” (shut down, stop) what is threatening the dreamer.
Dead crocodiles. But the crocs are dead. The threats are harmless or in the past.
Overflowing river. A river runs naturally, like the course of one’s life, but when it overflows, your emotional state is out-of-control.

The interpretation:
It could be that this dreamer flashes back to her past where there were real or perceived dangers and threats and she still gets extremely emotional about it. Her father and brother attempt to hunt them down to get rid of them on her behalf. The fact that the crocs are dead, to me, indicates that the threats are harmless or in the past.


Dream #3:
Crocodile in the water. Again, a hidden danger; this time, it is in the emotions.
Sees threat so she does not get into water. Dreamer sees the threat and does not join in the emotional moment.
Swallowing. The danger threatens to swallow, consume the sister.
Pregnant sister. She appears as representing herself.

The interpretation:
It is common for siblings to worry about each other, especially just before a major life-changing event such as marriage or, as in this case, childbirth. This dreamer feels that there is something about the pregnancy or birth that can threaten her sister. While everyone is probably celebrating and feeling quite joyful about the coming event, the dreamer holds back (does not get into the water). She sees the croc swallow her sister. Perhaps, the dreamer worries that her sister will be consumed or overwhelmed by the serious responsibilities of being a mother and that, instead of all the happy rejoicing, her sister should be aware of the real life duties on the horizon.

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Live well, sleep well and dream joyfully.