For over 250 years, the disappearance of crocodiles from the Seychelles puzzled scientists and historians. Recent research has resolved this mystery through DNA analysis of historical specimens, revealing that these crocodiles were not a unique species but rather an isolated population of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus). This population likely drifted across the Indian Ocean, traveling at least 3,000 kilometers to reach the Seychelles. The study, conducted by researchers from Germany and the Seychelles, analyzed mitochondrial genomes from preserved specimens, confirming earlier theories based on physical characteristics. Saltwater crocodiles are particularly well adapted for ocean travel, capable of surviving in seawater due to specialized salt glands. This genetic evidence shows that these reptiles were part of a broader population that once spanned a range of over 12,000 kilometers, highlighting the species' remarkable mobility and adaptability in marine environments.