14 DAY TRIAL // When we think about crocodiles, we tend to imagine them as vicious predators that only have murder and slaughter on their mind. As it turns out, this is by no means true. On the contrary, it appears that these reptiles have a surprisingly soft side.
Thus, wildlife researcher Vladimir Dinets with the University of Tennessee in Knoxville, US, who has been studying crocodiles for well over a decade now, insists that the reptiles love and adore playing, be it with each other or with all sorts of objects that they turn into their toys.
A better understanding of crocodiles
Writing in the journal Animal Behavior and Cognition, the University of Tennessee specialist says that, having closely monitored a whole lot of crocodiles himself and having also talked to people familiar with the reptiles, he found that these supposed savage beasts are no strangers to play.
By the looks of it, playing with toys is what the reptiles love best. More precisely, Vladimir Dinets says that several crocodiles have over the years been spotted playing with debris floating in the water and even their prey. Besides, crocodiles kept in captivity seem to enjoy playing with wooden balls.
The researcher goes on to detail that, every once in a while, the reptiles chase away boredom either by sliding down slopes repeatedly or by riding waves or currents of water. The specialist refers to this type of behavior that crocodiles occasionally display as locomotor play, Phys Org informs.
Lastly, Vladimir Dinets says that it sometimes happens that crocodiles play with each other. More precisely, he says that, every once in a while, these reptiles willingly take others of their kind on piggyback rides. Apparently, this is their idea of socializing and bonding.
The researcher even tells the tale of a man who, after rescuing a crocodile, ended up being best friends with the reptile and swimming and playing with it without ever being attacked. Simply put, it looks like crocodiles can, under certain circumstances, become attached to people.
“The crocodile would swim with his human friend, try to startle him by suddenly pretending to attack him or by sneaking up on him from behind, and accept being caressed, hugged, rotated in the water and kissed on the snout,” the specialist details the man's interactions with the reptile.
The importance of this study
The University of Tennessee researcher explains that, given the outcome of his investigation into the play behavior of crocodiles, it might not be such a bad idea if wildlife parks, commercial farms and breeding centers were to provide the reptiles they keep captive with toys, just to keep them entertained.
Besides, the specialist argues that his work proves that all intelligent animals that display complex and flexible behaviors like to play. This find could help shed new light on what intelligence is all about and how it emerged and evolved on our planet.
