Indian Marsh Crocodile Shows Unusual Behavior
Researchers: "Case of Emotional Empathy Between Different Species"
A crocodile, known as a ferocious predator, attracted academic interest by showing an unexpected behavior of saving a puppy that fell into the water and enjoying flower viewing. Scientists explained that it might have the ability to empathize with the emotions of other species.
According to a paper by researchers from Carmel University in India, published on the 24th in the academic journal 'Journal of Threatened Taxa (JTT)', some mugger crocodiles living in the Savitri River in Mahad, Maharashtra, western India, showed a gentle response when encountering a puppy that had fallen into the river, contrary to expectations.
The mugger crocodile in India is floating on the water or sunbathing next to marigold (Cheonsuguk) flowers. [Image source=Yonhap News]
At the time of observation, a puppy ran into the Savitri River while fleeing from a pack of stray dogs. Nearby in the water were three fully grown mugger crocodiles. The crocodiles showed interest in the puppy but did not eat it. Instead, they gently nudged it with their snouts and helped push it up to a safe riverbank where the pack of stray dogs could not follow, aiding its escape.
The mugger crocodile is widely distributed across India. Large males can reach up to 5.5 meters in length and weigh about 450 kg, possessing a massive body. The exact reason why they did not eat but saved the puppy is not clearly understood. The researchers suggest that 'emotional empathy' between different species might be the reason.
The researchers explained, "The crocodiles could have easily eaten the dog but chose not to attack and instead pushed it to the bank, which implies the absence of a 'hunger drive.' We present this as an example of crocodiles exhibiting perceptive behavior and a case of 'emotional empathy' between different species." They added, "This unusual case of a dog rescued by a group of crocodiles seems closer to empathy than altruistic behavior." However, the researchers also noted that the ability to experience emotions of other species is not widely studied behavior.
Indian marsh crocodile pushing a puppy that fell into the water back to the shore[Image source=Yonhap News]
Enjoying Sunbathing Next to Marigold Flowers
This study also revealed that mugger crocodiles like marigold flowers, which belong to the Asteraceae family.
The crocodiles were regularly observed floating on the water or lying sunbathing near the orange and yellow marigold flowers, sometimes resting their bodies against the flowers. The researchers noted that marigold petals are known to contain antimicrobial substances that help protect the skin from bacteria and fungi, and considering the sewage pollution status of the Savitri River, contact with the flowers might be beneficial to the crocodiles.
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