Size and power doesn’t always equal victory in the wild, where being small and stealthy can come with its own benefits and hunting strategies. Despite the clear and imposing size of a particularly large crocodile, one monitor lizard decided to try its luck.
Obviously, this lizard was far too small to prey on the crocodile, but the eggs in the crocodile’s nest were the perfect size for a snack, and by being very, very careful, the monitor might be able to steal some for itself.
This encounter between an enormous crocodile and a tiny lizard was caught by Mark Fox while he was in the Kruger National Park. It’s a risky attempt, but the monitor might just pull it off.
David Against Goliath
The beginning of Mark’s footage shows the crocodile as it makes its way across the sandy dune, heading towards its nest. It’s evident from the very beginning that this is a large animal, but the immense difference in size when the monitor gets close is incredible.
Coming so close to the nest while the mother crocodile herself is there is a huge risk, but if the monitor can pull off its raid, the eggs and hatchlings are relatively defenseless, and make for a quick and easy meal.
The crocodile mother was more than aware of the vulnerability of her eggs, however, and if the monitor gave itself away then she would not hesitate to protect her nest ferociously.
Nothing Ventured Nothing Gained
The monitor wouldn’t be much more than a mouthful for a crocodile of this size, but it had speed and camouflage on its side. When it stopped moving it was difficult to make it out against the sand, and when it ran it could cover a lot of ground very quickly.
Its small size was also a benefit as much as a vulnerability, as it was able to slip undetected between the small dunes that offered it the perfect cover. Meter by meter it crept closer to the crocodile, finding the best position to wait until it could strike.
Crocodile mothers guard their nests against predators like this, but they can’t stay on watch forever, and eventually she would need to move, either to hunt for herself, or for some other purpose. As soon as she’d vacated the area, the monitor had the opportunity to close in.
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Empty Nester
The crocodile slid smoothly into the water, as it went in search of prey it could hunt. Eating is a necessity for life, but while doing so it had no choice but to leave the nest undefended. The monitor took full advantage of the opportunity.
It would have been a massacre, but during the brief time that the monitor spent in the crocodile’s nest, it looked as though all the eggs had already hatched.
The lizard wouldn’t be getting quite as much protein from the raid as it had hoped. It was still determined to get some kind of reward for the risk it had taken, and appeared to make an attempt to eat some of the egg shells instead.
With some kind of bounty secured, the monitor lizard had to make sure the crocodile didn’t catch it in the area. Despite the monitor not feasting on the baby crocodiles, it made for a tense and exciting sighting, as it executed its plan.