The patient crocodile waited still as a log in the water while a herd of buffalo gathered around to drink from a waterhole in the Kruger National Park.
Stealthy croc hides beneath water surface
This was a particularly large herd and it seemed none of the members noticed the crocodile, whose head could be seen just above the water’s surface.
This is because he dared not move. He was an experienced hunter, using patience to his advantage as he waited for the opportune moment to strike.
The clip shows him moving closer to some buffalo as they leaned forwards to drink. His eyes were just visible to those watching the scene, however, the buffalo failed to notice him.
Animals are vulnerable to crocodile and predator attacks while they drink, as their defenses are down, and their attention is often focused on the water they are drinking.
Taking full opportunity of the moment, the crocodile brazenly approaching the drinking buffalo.
Crocodile disappears beneath the surface in preparation to attack
When the croc was fairly close, he disappeared beneath the surface and could be seen no more.
This was when spectators at the scene must’ve held their breath. Where was the crocodile, and which buffalo was he preparing to strike?
There were a few moments when the tension was palpable.
Crocodiles are stealthy and strategic hunters, relying on patience, power, and precision to catch their prey. As ambush predators, they spend much of their time lurking just beneath the surface of the water, with only their eyes and nostrils visible.
This allows them to stay hidden while observing potential prey near the water’s edge.
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They conserve energy by waiting for the perfect moment, then explode into action. This makes them highly effective predators in rivers, swamps, and wetlands around the world.
Croc launches surprise ambush
The crocodile suddenly struck, displaying a mouthful of impressively large teeth. He lurched forwards from the waters, and his giant jaws snapped with determination and aggression.
He just missed one of the buffalo’s snouts and it was such a close call, that had you been watching from your living room chair, you might have dropped your bucket of popcorn.
Only this was not the movie Jaws, with a shark appearing from the waves out of nowhere. This was real life!
It was a spectacular moment, but also one filled with tension and fear. The entire herd moved from the water’s edge in a moment, and the crocodile’s gigantic form, which had risen into the air as it launched forwards towards the buffalo with snapping jaws, crashed back into the water with a giant splash.
The crocodile was not successful this time, however, more than likely he had been successful on many other occasions. The buffalo got to see another day, and the members of the herd were unharmed.
However, the sighting was a reminder that you can’t ever let your guard down in the bushveld. Animals must continually watch their backs and remain vigilant. A moment of complacency could cost them everything.