While running away from a feral dog pack, a dog dove into a river infested with crocodiles. However, instead of feeding on the dog, crocodiles apparently saved and ushered it to safety.
Crocodile Saves Dog
The dog, which was thought to be a stray, was chased by a feral dog pack when it entered India's Savitri River to flee from harm. However, the river was actually full of mugger crocodiles. Three of these crocodiles were nearing the stray dog.
While this could have been the helpless dog's demise, it appeared that the crocodiles helped save the dog.
Images of the event were included in a research publication. The researchers behind the study were looking into mugger crocodile behavior in India's Savitri River.
The researchers interestingly noted that the crocodiles' snouts were touching the dog. The reptiles seemed to usher the dog to safety. They could have easily devoured the canine, and yet none of them attacked the dog. The researchers note that as the creatures chose to nudge the dog to the bunk, it appears that their drive for hunger was not present.
According to the researchers, the reptiles were docile. Male adult mugger crocodiles can weigh as heavy as 1,000 pounds and span up to 18 feet in length.
Why Did the Crocodiles Let the Dog Pass?
Biologist Chris Murray from Southeastern Louisiana University explains that though it was surprising that the crocodiles did not feed on the dog, there are several possible reasons as to why the crocodiles just let the canine pass.
Murray explains that the reptiles may have felt too exposed for ambushing or that they may have been too full to feed on the dog. Another possibility is that they may have had prior negative experiences with eating dogs.
The biologist adds that when it comes to feeding ecology, cost-benefit analyses take place in nature every time. He also notes that he finds compassion quite unlikely for these creatures as there are some crocodile attacks that take place in areas that have the largest mugger crocodile population, such as in coastal India and Sri Lanka.
He agrees with the researchers that the cognition of crocodiles is often underestimated by humans. There are instances where these reptiles make use of sticks for luring birds for communal feeding. The biologist notes that there are times when crocodiles are able to learn from earlier experiences.
The researchers note that the dog rescue could also indicate emotional intelligence among crocodiles, further explaining that this could be seen as empathy.
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