Recently, a video surfaced showing a crocodile in Indonesia’s Barito River appearing to “pretend to drown,” with its limbs flailing above the water.
This behavior sparked discussions online, with some speculating that crocodiles might be using this tactic to lure humans into the water for attacks.
However, experts have debunked this theory. Brandon Sideleau, a researcher at Charles Darwin University, explained that crocodiles are unlikely to mimic human drowning to attract prey.
He suggested that the crocodile’s behavior might be due to having prey in its mouth, causing its limbs to move above the water.
Zoologist Professor Graham Webb also dismissed the idea, proposing that the crocodile might have had its tail caught, preventing normal swimming.
He emphasized that such behavior is not a learned tactic to lure humans.
While crocodile attacks on humans do occur, they are relatively rare. In Indonesia, approximately 100 people are killed by saltwater crocodiles annually.
These incidents often happen because people depend on water sources for daily activities, increasing their exposure to crocodile habitats.
It’s important to be cautious around crocodile habitats. Understanding their natural behaviors and avoiding areas where they are known to live can help reduce the risk of encounters.
Crocodiles in Indonesia have learned to “pretend to drown” in order to lure humans in to the water to eat them 🤯🐊 pic.twitter.com/YrMFodvNvC
— Daily Loud (@DailyLoud) January 8, 2025
