This was not just a display of extreme control, but also a demonstration of the croc’s cunning behaviour. It grew still and made itself as nothing, knowing that at the right moment it would have its way.
Pride of lions feast on buffalo carcass
The buffalo carcass was a stark black stripe against the sand of the riverbed where the action unfolded. From the spectator’s viewpoint, the buffalo presented a magnificent figure. Its perfectly-formed horns were still as it lay lifeless in clear view of the camera, however, life very much continued around it. A male lion lay nearby, looking completely disinterested and some lionesses gathered closer.
Perhaps the male lion had already fed. In the pride he is usually the first to get the prime position by the kill. There is a hierarchy in the pride and the alpha male gets, to put it simply, ‘the lion’s share’.
A buffalo carcass smells pungent and can attract a range of scavengers, including hyenas, jackals, vultures, and even leopards waiting for scraps. In this instance, it had attracted the hungry crocodile.
While the crocodile was not intimidated by the lions in the immediate vicinity, it also chose not to threaten them and instead remained completely still, watching and waiting for a turn to feed.
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Had the carcass been in the water, the crocodile would have had the upper hand and fought for first rights to the carcass. But here on land, it showed vigilance and avoided any confrontation.
On land, it was the lions which had the upper hand.
Both lions and crocodiles are risk-averse by nature, and will avoid a fight if they perceive the risk of serious injury. In this moment, the two species existed side-by-side in peace. However different they were, they shared a mutual interest… food.
Lioness approaches the carcass
A lioness walked up to inspect the buffalo carcass. She fed momentarily from its centre, gorging on its entrails.
The lioness seemed unconcerned about the presence of the crocodile which lay nearby. Its spiny form was motionless, and it watched closely without posing any threat to the lioness.
Its patience made the sighting all the more incredible. While this was a wild animal, it knew how to tame its instincts if these instincts meant putting it at risk.
The lioness eventually did leave the carcass. Having fed for some time, she needed a sip of water. It’s this way when you have eaten a lot. She made her way to the water’s edge and drank deeply from the water. She was a beautiful creature and all eyes were on her.
The crocodile which had appeared lifeless was very much aware of her movements. With the lioness gone, it quickly moved closer to the carcass, seeing its chance to get a quick bite.
It was followed by a second, bigger croc. The stealthy creatures had been watching all along!
The large size of the crocodiles was made all the more evident as the lioness walked past them after enjoying her drink. Having satisfied her thirst and her hunger, it was now her turn to lie down, possibly besides the large male lion.
The patient crocodile had what it had wanted all along, and joined by its friend, it was now time for their buffalo buffet.
