Current:Home > Back3 crocodiles "could have easily devoured" a stray dog in their river. They pushed it to safety instead.-LoTradeCoin
3 crocodiles "could have easily devoured" a stray dog in their river. They pushed it to safety instead.
View Date:2024-12-23 20:20:44
When a young dog in India sought refuge in a river while being chased by a pack of feral animals, it was immediately surrounded by three crocodiles. They were so close they could "have easily devoured" it, experts say, but when their snouts came in contact, they helped save its life instead.
The situation was described in a new report published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa by scientists who have spent years studying marsh crocodiles, otherwise known as muggers, in Maharashtra, India. Adult male muggers can get up to 18 feet long and weigh up to 1,000 pounds, according to the Wildlife Institute of India, but according to researchers, that massive size doesn't always mean they're aggressive.
They described an instance in which a young dog was being chased "by a pack of feral dogs" and ended up trying to escape in the Savitri River. At that time, three adult muggers "were clearly seen floating close by in the water and their attention was drawn" to the animal.
But rather than making the dog their next prey, two of the three crocodiles displayed "more docile behaviour" than expected. Instead of eating the young animal, the crocodiles "guided" it away from where the pack of dogs were waiting for it on the river bank.
"These crocodiles were actually touching the dog with their snout and nudging it to move further for a safe ascent on the bank and eventually escape," researchers wrote. "...Given that the mugger was well within the striking range and could have easily devoured the dog, yet none of them attacked and instead chose to nudge it towards the bank, implies that the hunger drive was absent."
But why didn't the crocodiles use this as an opportunity to eat the dog, like they have in other instances? Even the scientists are unsure.
Their best guess, however, is that the muggers were simply putting their emotional intelligence on display.
"Emotional empathy" – which allows one species "to experience the emotional feelings of another" – isn't thoroughly investigated in these animals, they said, but it could be an answer.
"The curious case of a dog 'rescued' by the group of crocodiles reported here seems more on lines of empathy than altruistic behavior," scientists said.
In their research, scientists made another "curious" discovery – muggers love marigold flowers.
The crocodiles were regularly seen floating, basking and laying around the yellow and orange flowers, often maintaining "physical contact" with them. Marigold petals are known to have antimicrobial compounds that can help protect skin from fungi and bacteria, researchers said, and given the sewage contamination in the Savitri, it's believed that contact could help alleviate such issues.
"This behavior is novel and intriguing," researchers said, adding that the behavior requires further investigation.
While they can't be sure why the muggers opted to help the dog live rather than help themselves to a meal, one thing is clear, researchers said: "Reptiles have been underestimated as far as animal cognition is concerned."
- In:
- crocodile
Li Cohen is a social media producer and trending content writer for CBS News.
veryGood! (93438)
Related
- Britney Spears reunites with son Jayden, 18, after kids moved in with dad Kevin Federline
- Both sides appeal ruling that Trump can stay on Colorado ballot despite insurrection finding
- Man pleads guilty to firebombing Wisconsin anti-abortion group office in 2022
- Argentina’s president-elect wants public companies in private hands, with media first to go
- RHOP's Candiace Dillard Bassett Gives Birth, Shares First Photos of Baby Boy
- Newly released Jan. 6 footage does not show a federal agent flashing his badge while undercover
- NFL power rankings Week 12: Eagles, Chiefs affirm their place at top
- Atlantic City casino profits fall 7.5% in 3rd quarter of 2023
- Chiefs block last-second field goal to save unbeaten record, beat Broncos
- What's a DINK? Childless couples in US could soon hit 50% and these states rank high for them
Ranking
- Cold case arrest: Florida man being held in decades-old Massachusetts double murder
- Toyota's lending unit stuck drivers with extra costs and knowingly tarnished their credit reports
- What restaurants are open Thanksgiving? Details on Starbucks, McDonald's, fast food, more
- How do you get rid of cold sores? Here's what doctors recommend.
- Mississippi Valley State football player Ryan Quinney dies in car accident
- Luckiest store in Michigan? Gas station sells top-prize lottery tickets in consecutive months
- Blue Bloods Is Officially Ending After 14 Seasons
- The White House is concerned Iran may provide ballistic missiles to Russia for use against Ukraine
Recommendation
-
Apologetic rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine gets 45 days in prison for probation violations
-
Savannah Chrisley shares 'amazing' update on parents Todd and Julie's appeal case
-
Judge overseeing Idaho murders case bars media cameras, citing intense focus on suspect — but the court will livestream
-
22 additional patients accuse Massachusetts pediatrician of sexual abuse. Prosecutors say cases 'could keep growing'
-
Stocks soared on news of Trump's election. Bonds sank. Here's why.
-
Nevada election-fraud crusader loses lawsuit battle against Washoe County in state court
-
Capitol rioter who berated a judge and insulted a prosecutor is sentenced to 3 months in jail
-
Putin, Xi and UN Secretary-General Gutteres to attend virtual meeting on Israel-Hamas war