Crocodiles and sharks are two of the most feared aquatic animals because of their sharp teeth and preying instincts. Although crocs are commonly found in freshwater, saltwater crocodiles can live in the sea so there is a big chance that they would meet the sharks.
There have been many accounts about the two predators fighting and of course, it never ends well with one of them getting killed. But it is extremely rare to capture video footage of the two aquatic predators having a face-off. Fortunately, it was not bloody so neither the animals nor the humans nearby got hurt.
The face-off of the croc and bull shark
According to a report by news.com.au, a drone captured video footage of an enormous croc intimidating the bull shark a few meters away from tourists fishing and swimming children in Western Australia's far north.
The face-off between the two giant predators happened in the Ivanhoe Crossing near Kinunrra, Chelsea Wood said. "There were a lot of people fishing and children splashing around in the water - people were oblivious."
She added that while fishing in the knee-deep water, they saw the croc and shark just a few meters away from them. They were just copying how the locals behave.
The video footage shows that the bull shark swam away when it sensed danger nearby upon seeing the much larger croc. Wood and her partner Bryce Connole posted the video on their YouTube and Instagram accounts.
According to the couple from South Australia, they are caravanning around the country for the past nine months and have no plans yet of stopping. They were already in Esperance, in WA's south, during the lockdowns which they spent their time exploring the area.
Croc vs. Shark: Who would win?
If ever crocs and shark really do fight, it is a battle royale between two ferocious predators. Experts said that two aquatic animals have been interacting for so long but it was only recently that they have gained much attention and it seems that the crocodiles are winning.
Alligators, similar to crocs have also their fair share of encounters with sharks. In an article by the National Geographic, it showed how alligators and sharks have a prey and predator relationship.
A study from ecologist James Nifong of Kansas State University revealed that alligators eat anything that they can get their jaws around. Examples are sharks and stingrays in which Nifong said he saw bones of stingrays inside an alligator.
Nifong said that it is surprising because alligators are freshwater animals. But he discovered throughout his study that these reptiles are fond of eating four species of elasmobranchs: lemon, nurse, bonnethead sharks, and Atlantic stingray.
Moreover, he also found historical accounts of sharks preying on alligators. That means these two animals have been interacting for so long and more often than thought.
Both "are known for their extreme eating habits, and both are highly opportunistic predators," says Nifong. He published his findings in the peer-reviewed journal Southeastern Naturalist.
Read also: Read More: [VIDEO] Two Alligators Locked in a Fight to Death at a Golf Course in South Carolina
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