The impala had waded into the shallow waters for a drink of water. However, the crocodile had been waiting patiently for it beneath the water’s surface.
For the impala, water was life, but the water also hid death in the form of the crocodile.
Crocodile catches unsuspecting impala by surprise
Waterholes are a vital source of life-giving water for animals in the bushveld. When game viewers park their vehicles alongside waterholes and wait there with patience, they are bound to see some spectacular sights.
This is because, as different as animals can be, they have one thing in common. This is that they all need water. For this reason, animals of all descriptions will visit waterholes.
Owing to the wide variety of species which visit waterholes, they also set the stage for memorable predator-prey interactions.
When antelope and other animals bow their heads to drink from the water, or wade into the water for refreshment, they are left vulnerable to attacks. This is because they have let their defenses down, as they relax to get a sip of water.
This impala had not anticipated that a crocodile was lurking nearby. When the croc made its presence known, the impala showed its surprise by leaping away from the predator with large splashes.
The animal was put into a state of panic. The crocodile was a very real threat. Had the impala been on land, it would have been able to get away with haste. However, this was the crocodile’s territory. In the water was where it was most at home, and it moved with great ease in its ambush of the impala.
Large splashes alert spectators to explosive confrontation
The moment was tense, and the white spray of water alerted spectators that something was amiss in the previously peaceful setting.
With explosive force, the crocodile surged through the water, propelled by its muscular tail.
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The impala leapt away from the crocodile’s slashing jaws, using every ounce of its being to get as far away from the crocodile as possible.
The croc’s jaws were massive and its teeth crashed together with frightening force.
For a short while the impala evaded the dreadful gnashing of its teeth, however, in a tragic moment, the crocodile secured its jaws around the buck’s middle.
With this, it pulled the impala downwards, beneath the surface.
The attack was over within just seconds. The croc’s jaws had bone-crushing power, and the panicked antelope stood no chance. With the crocodile’s grip unyielding, the buck grew limp.
Using its sheer weight and strength, the reptile dragged the impala into deeper water, away from the bank where escape might’ve still been possible.
It was a heartbreaking moment of defeat for the impala. Its head was now immersed in the water and it appeared the crocodile had secured its victory.
Crocodile succeeds in subduing its prey
The crocodile maintained its steely gaze as it waded through the water with the impala in its jaws.
While the impala had had a quick response time to the crocodile’s attack, it hadn’t been fast enough. The crocodile was a master at the hunt and this was its turf.