A stalking gigantic saltwater crocodile was caught on camera as it launched itself out of a river and snatched a low-flying bat from mid-air to the delight of tourists. Crocodile tour guide David White captured the incredible moment in the Daintree River in Far North Queensland.
The video posted on Facebook has now gone viral with millions of views. Many commented that it was the first time they saw a crocodile jump out of the water to capture a bat.
A crocodile (Crocodylus acutus) jumps to catch food at the crocodiles farm inside the San Carlos Technological Institute on June 20, 2008 in Santa Clara de San Carlos some 100 km north of San Jose. According to biologists, one of the objectives of the project is the conservation of this species, as it is in danger of extinction.
Crocodile Jumping Out of Water
Crocs can jump, too, as evident in the footage shared by Mr. White, who has been a crocodile tour guide for decades. Although it might not be the first evidence that these reptiles can jump since most people know crocodiles can jump if they want to, many were still in awe of the natural display of prey and predator relationship in the wild.
Knowing that crocodiles can get out of the water does not make the video any easier to digest, Yahoo! News reported. As seen in the footage, bats were flying above the river. One flew too close to the water surface, unaware of the gigantic crocodile lurking nearby. The bat was easily caught by the crocodile and the latter dragged it underwater.
They nicknamed the crocodile Dusty Rose who displayed unbelievable precision as she jumped for the bat. Mr. White said that it was the first time he witnessed a crocodile who managed to catch a bat after 25 years of working as a crocodile tour guide on the river. He explained that bats usually fly close to the water to wet their chests before hanging in trees and sucking the moisture out of their fur.
He added that he was supposed to be with a film crew that day and would have probably gotten TV-quality footage of the encounter. Nonetheless, he was still able to film the whole thing.
Australia is abundant with massive saltwater crocodiles, but in the US they can only be found in South Florida in The Everglades. These crocodilian species significantly grow larger than American alligators seen in the US.
How High Can Crocodiles Jump?
According to Crocodilian Biology Database, crocodiles do not leap out of the water like dolphins that speed from several feet under and then leap several feet into the air. Instead, they leap while stationary at the water's surface as they need to see their target before jumping on them.
Crocodiles can accurately judge the distance of their target and use powerful sinusoidal undulations of their tail to push themselves upwards. Then, they lunge their bodies several feet into the air just so suddenly.
This behavior helps many crocodilian species to capture prey on the bank and has even become their signature moves as they snatch animals that drink in African waterholes. They jump vertically from slightly deeper water to position their bodies well.
In the wild, this leaping behavior is more common among younger crocodiles than adults. However, several species also leap out of the water when enticed with the lure of food. This fact is exploited in tourist attractions that display crocodiles, like some cruises in the Northern Territory of Australia that specialize in encouraging wild crocodiles to leap at the side of the water to entertain and impress tourists.
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