Are Crocs Really So Deceiving?

A bizarre viral theory suggesting that crocodiles are learning to “pretend to drown” to lure humans into the water has sparked heated debate. But experts say there’s no real evidence to support this claim.

The Viral Video That Started It All

The controversy began when a video of a saltwater crocodile in Borneo’s Barito River surfaced online. In the clip, the croc appears to be rolling onto its back, with its front limbs flailing above the surface—prompting speculation that it was mimicking a drowning human to lure unsuspecting prey.

Social media exploded with theories, with some users believing that crocodiles were adapting and evolving to “trick” humans into entering the water. But is there any truth to this claim?

🔗 Watch the viral video here: Click to see for yourself!

What the Experts Say

Leading crocodile researchers and zoologists completely debunked this idea, calling it “complete creative journalism with no factual basis.” Brandon Sideleau, a human-crocodile conflict researcher at Charles Darwin University, suggests a much simpler explanation: “I think it’s probably got some prey in its mouth because I’ve seen it before—saltwater crocodiles will spin underwater when they have food in their jaws. That would be my guess.” Sideleau also notes that while crocodiles are highly intelligent, the idea that they could mimic a drowning person to attract prey is completely unfounded. Professor Graham Webb, a leading zoologist and crocodile expert, further dismissed the theory, saying the croc may have simply had its tail caught, preventing it from swimming normally.

Why Do So Many Crocodile Attacks Happen?

Despite Australia being home to nearly 200,000 crocodiles (almost half the world’s population), fatal croc attacks there are rare.

However, in countries like Indonesia and Papua New Guinea, the number of attacks per capita is much higher—mainly due to water dependency.

“People in some areas have to bathe, fish, wash clothes, and collect water from the river—so the risk of an encounter is significantly higher,” Sideleau explains.

The Real Danger: Misinformation

While the “cunning crocodile” theory is amusing, experts warn that misinformation like this can be dangerous.

Brandon Sideleau highlights how false narratives can lead to harmful conservation policies or even poor public safety measures.

“Misinformation can be damaging if people start suggesting management strategies that harm crocodile populations or put humans at greater risk.”

What Do You Think?

So, is this cunning crocodile theory just another wild social media myth, or could there be more to it?

🔗 Check out the viral video and decide for yourself: Watch here!

What’s your take? Let us know in the comments! 🐊💭