Watch a Crocodile Launch a Sneaky Underwater Attack on a Peaceful Waterbuck

This waterbuck literally disappears under the water for no apparent reason. You don’t get to find out what is dragging it under until toward the end of the clip. See below to watch the full video of a stealth underwater attack – crocodile style!

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What Do Nile Crocodiles Usually Eat?

As this footage was recorded in Kruger National Park in Kenya, this is most likely a Nile crocodile. They are found in many areas of Africa and are divided into seven distinct geographic populations. Their habitat is freshwater (lakes, rivers, and streams) although they can tolerate brackish coastal swamps.

Adult Nile crocodiles will try to kill just about anything that moves! The main part of their diet is made up of fish, supplemented with frogs and freshwater crabs. When terrestrial animals (animals that live on the land) wander into or too close to the water, they are also targets. Creatures such as this waterbuck, as well as impala, buffalo, and many more, are on the menu. So, unfortunately, are humans. In the area where this was filmed, more humans are killed by crocodiles than by all the other predators combined.

How Do Nile Crocodiles Usually Hunt?

These formidable reptiles have an efficient method for catching prey. As we see here, they typically ambush prey such as waterbucks from a hidden position under the water. They swim silently beneath the water until they are close to the prey. Thanks to the fact that they can hold their breath for several minutes, they can remain completely hidden in muddy water. They are able to lunge a distance of several times their body length and grab the prey.

The plan is to drag the animals under the water so that they drown. The next step is to dismember the carcass and to achieve this they may rotate it in the water so that bits can be torn off.

In this case, things did not go according to plan. Somehow, the waterbuck got back on its feet and dragged the croc out of the water. On land, crocodiles become exhausted quickly so this one clearly decided to give up!

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Johan Swanepoel/Shutterstock.com

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