Watch This Sly Crocodile Silently Snatch a Cheetah Cub

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Many would struggle to contend with a silent assassin like the crocodile, but this cheetah cub, unfortunately, stood no chance. The cub was in for the surprise of its life when it stopped for a drink at a watering hole. Blending in with its terrain, the crocodile swam up undetected. Once it reached closer to land, the croc launched a vicious attack that stunned the cheetah cub. The croc lunged at the cub, clamping its jaw on its neck. The cub was struggling to escape and was quickly pulled into the water. The water was rippling for just a moment, representing the cub’s final resistance. Finally, the water goes still, almost as if the encounter never happened. As the video wraps up, we see the cheetah’s mother and her other cub. They can only look on after such a quick and brutal scene. As explained in the video notes, “Every animal has its role to play in the ‘circle of life.'” Read on to discover what makes the crocodile a fierce and masterful hunter.

Why Are Crocodiles Such Effective Hunters?

Simply put, crocodiles (Crocodylus acutus) are such incredible hunters because they have had a ton of practice — over 200 million years, in fact! They essentially look and behave the same as well. Further, crocodiles are closely related to dinosaurs and belong in the same prehistoric category: archosaurs. Crocodiles are part of the crocodilian lineage, which includes 18 distinct species across the globe. They are almost tailor-made for their environments, with their biggest threat being habitat loss and hunting.

Crocodiles are difficult to escape and contain, moving up to 25 miles per hour and with the most powerful bite force in the world. With armored and waterproof skin, these deadly reptiles can give even the biggest predators a run for their money. Furthermore, the croc’s third eyelid allows it to leave its eyes open while submerged under water. In addition, their eyes and nostrils are located at the top of their head and snout, respectively, which enables them to cloak underwater and prevents prey from spotting them. These advanced features make the already lethal hunter that much more deadly.