The spectacular displays of strength that some animals are capable of don’t always stop after they’ve caught their prey. Watching some animals eat is still evidence of their immense power.
Jess van Putten caught this hungry crocodile on camera at the Gardenia Hide in the Kruger National Park, and sent her footage of the event to Latest Sightings.
A Successful Day
At the beginning of Jess’ footage, the crocodile was already enjoying the spoils of a successful day of hunting prey. The unfortunate impala must have come too close to the water’s edge in search of a drink.
From the edge of the water, this crocodile would have used its powerful tail to propel itself from the water so quickly that the impala would not have had time to retreat before it found itself caught in the croc’s jaws.
Dragged into the water, the impala quickly became this crocodile’s next meal, but first the croc would have to break it down into bite-size chunks that it was actually able to swallow.
A Surprising Substitute For Chewing
Without having arms long enough to hold the carcass in place while they tear chunks away with their sharp teeth, crocodiles have had to develop other ways to breaking their food down into smaller portions that they can swallow.
After suddenly surfacing with its prey, this crocodile paused for a long moment, before it lifted itself fully out of the water and pushed its torso into the air, whipping the impala’s carcass ignominiously around its head to tear off a chunk of meat.
The strength of the crocodile was such that with even this small amount of momentum, the impala was propelled through the air so powerfully that just by holding its head in place, the croc was able to rip meat off the bone.
Restrained Power
With its sudden act of violence completed, the crocodile swallowed its morsel, and settled back down into the water to savor its meal. After such a sudden burst of strength, it looked strangely intimidating for it to lay there so calmly, with only its head above the water.
After taking a brief dip beneath the surface the crocodile set about dismantling the remains of the impala in a less spectacular fashion. Its sharp teeth were clearly visible as it gnawed on the carcass just beneath the water, keeping the gruesome details from sight.
This more reserved approach obviously didn’t give as satisfying results, as although the croc didn’t fling the impala through the air again, sudden splashing indicated that it was twisting beneath the water, tearing meat from the bones of its prey.
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A Quiet Meal
Aside from the sudden displays of strength which the crocodile was using to tear apart the body of its prey, the crocodile was largely quite still, making it seem like a civilized meal in-between the violence.
This sighting was impressive, and slightly gruesome, but ultimately fascinating, as it shows how different animals have developed different ways of eating their meals, depending on their physical abilities.