Croc experts Grahame Webb and Brandon Sideleau weigh in on behaviour

Croc lovers’ speculation over a reptile’s unique pose has been put to bed after two Experts weighed in on the strange behaviour. Read the verdict.

Croc lovers are used with sharing the NT’s waterways with crocs and even snapping a photo, but it’s not often the deadly reptiles are caught striking a unique pose.

Forelegs splayed to either side as the crocs cruised the river, many reptile lovers have been baffled by an unusual sight at Cahill’s Crossing.

Speculation swirled on Facebook from “cuddles” to cosmetics.

“He just got his nails did,” one user wrote.

Facebook users speculated over this crocodile’s unique behaviour.

But Crocodylus Park founder Grahame Webb said the strange behaviour was likely a fishing technique.

“(It) allows them to sense a wider area and if they encounter a swimming fish within it, can strike accurately within the ‘capture area’,” Mr Webb said.

Charles Darwin University croc researcher Brandon Sideleau said crocs in this position would wait until a fish brushed its arm and “swing around and snatch it”.

“I have spent countless hours observing such behaviour at the crossing and it seems as though the individuals that do this are more successful at catching fish,” Mr Sideleau said.

This crocodile was caught using its hands to catch lunch. Picture: Tara Lee Priore-Smith

“Interestingly, I noticed that some of the small-to-medium sized crocodiles did this more frequently, while many of the much larger individuals lined up at the crossing itself, but this may have just been what occurred on the days I was present.”

Mr Sideleau said it was possible the behaviour was isolated to certain areas, such as Cahill’s Crossing.

“Studies need to be conducted to determine if it is unique to certain locations or if the behaviour is widespread,” he said.

These crocs are likely seeing shelter from a long dry season. Photo: Phil Rout

Another Facebook user, Phil Rout, shared an equally intriguing image of crocs sheltering in a shady cave.

The snapper said he counted 12 in the tiny cave, though only two were visible in the image.

Mr Webber said the image was “interesting” and guessed the reptiles were simply keeping cool in the warm weather.

“Without knowing the exact context, my guess would be that these crocs are adjacent to a water body that is drying – given the lack of rain and have sought refuge in the cave to wait out the remains of the dry season,” he said.

Mr Sideleau the size of the cave suggested there was “no reason to think anything else was going on”.