November 6, 2024

Brighton Journal

Complete News World

Indian crocodiles save a dog from a feral herd attack, but scientists are divided over what that means

Indian crocodiles save a dog from a feral herd attack, but scientists are divided over what that means

Scientists in India observed theft crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) Interact with a dog chased to the river by a feral herd. (Image credit: Utkarsha Chavan)

Scientists in India have observed crocodiles engaging in some strange behaviour, including hunting in herds, using sticks as bait to lure herons and egrets into their striking range, showing interest in wreaths floating in a river, and even rescuing a feral dog that had been chased. By other dogs.

the New studypublished on August 26 in the magazine Threatened Taxa, indicates that the crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) People who inhabit the Savitri River in Maharashtra, India are more cognitively advanced than scientists currently think.

Although these observations are puzzling, an expert contacted by Live Science was skeptical, noting that although hunting behaviors have been reported previously — anecdotally — the latest two claims are almost certainly anthropomorphic conjecture.

A stealing crocodile on a river bank next to a marigold wreath

The authors said crocodiles appear to be attracted to amaranth. (Image credit: Utkarsha Chavan/Chavan and Borkar 2023)