Can old crocodiles learn new tricks?
The wild saltwater crocs in Borneo, Indonesia, have attracted attention with their eye-catching behavior. According to The Associated Press, Instagram user @lukman_arisma captured footage of one of the massive reptiles making unusual movements in the water.
In the footage, the crocodile is partially submerged in the water, with several feet sticking above the surface. The reptile wiggles its feet back and forth sporadically. The AP reported that locals believe the crocodiles exhibiting this odd behavior are attempting to mimic the movements of a drowning human.
The news agency added that some who have seen crocodiles acting this way think the wild animals are trying to lure people into the water so they can attack them. Crocodile experts are unconvinced and have shot down rumors that the saltwater crocodiles are up to anything malicious.
Brandon Sideleau, a human and crocodile conflict researcher at Charles Darwin University, told Yahoo that this behavior is not new and that the crocodile in the alarming video is likely just enjoying a meal.
“I think it’s probably got some prey items in its mouth because I’ve seen it on some of the rivers here where saltwater crocodiles will kind of spin around underwater; you’ll see their hands up in the air when they’ve got food in their jaws,” Sideleau said.
“It definitely wouldn’t be trying to lure people in because there’d be no way for it to actually learn that,” he added.
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Gregory Erickson, a professor in the biological science department at Florida State University, echoed Sideleau’s thoughts, telling Newsweek, “I do not believe this crocodile was trying to lure humans into the water. Such behavior would be unprecedented. These animals are inherently stealthy and don’t need to resort to such extremes to access prey.”
Regardless, experts stress that saltwater crocodiles are dangerous wild animals that should be given safety and respect. According to the BBC, there have been over 1,000 crocodile attacks in Indonesia over the past decade, including at least 450 deaths.
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