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As per the viral video, a crocodile can be seen upside down and waving their limbs in the air above the water’s surface in the Barito River in Borneo, Indonesia.
Many have online suggested that crocodiles may be using a clever trick to capture prey. (Image: Instagram)
A video is doing rounds the corner among netizens on social media where a crocodile appears to fake drowning in order to attract humans within their territory as their prey. While at first glance this idea may seem far-fetched, the possibility of this behaviour has captured attention.
What’s In The Video?
As per the viral video, a crocodile can be seen upside down and waving their limbs in the air above the water’s surface in the Barito River in Borneo, Indonesia. The clip, narrated with a British accent, depicts a crocodile appearing to fake drowning in order to attract unsuspecting humans into the water.
Many have online suggested that crocodiles may be using a clever trick to capture prey.
The video amassed at least 50 million views, but the Instagram account that posted it has since gone private, as per the report by Newsweek.
What Experts Say?
Crocodile attacks are no doubt horrifying, and the idea that an animal is intentionally leading humans to their demise is even more concerning. However, several experts have countered these reactions to the video, calling them “hysterical” and misinformative.
Casey Holliday, a professor of pathology and anatomical sciences at the University of Missouri, told the news outlet that the notion of a crocodile acting in distress on purpose was “hysterical.”
Zoologist Graham Webb said the idea was “complete creative journalism with no factual basis,” according to a report by LAD Bible. Webb said it’s possible the crocodile had its tail caught, which kept it from swimming normally.
Brandon Sideleau, a researcher of human and crocodile conflict at Australia’s Charles Darwin University, told LAD Bible he thought the crocodile might have had prey in its mouth, which caused it to exhibit uncommon behaviour.
Hundreds of crocodile attacks are reported every year, with saltwater crocodiles being the most dangerous.