Portrait of a killer

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day all

Visiting a local wildlife park, this fella was out sunning himself. About 35yrs old and 4m / 12ft long he was minding his own business until the keeper arrived with some food. Instantly the croc's tail swung sideways violently - a trick we were told to knock their prey onto the ground - but the keeper was further away than the croc's tail reached. Still it was frightening to watch the jaws swinging around to grab onto whatever had (not) been knocked to the ground

exif- Panny FZ-2500; 1/500s x F4,5; 20x zoom / 480mm FFequiv

It was also pointed out to visitors all the croc's sensory / nerve endings around the jaw. These are to detect any movement or vibrations and can detect those vibrations up to 75metres away from the animal. In the image, these are all the dark spots lining the skin of the jaws


As always, feedback welcome

Phil

[HansE]

Thank heavens we have telephoto lenses. The lumps on the head are special as well. I didn't know about the sensors either there are a lot of them. Isn't evolution wonderful. What will another million years bring other than extinction by man.
Well captured Phil

[Isac]

Im going to do a "+1" like you do Phil. They are a terrifying beast and you've captured that well. I was lucky enough to see them at Australia Zoo and in some water ways in a Cairns trip. Scary looking things.

[Ozzie_Traveller]

G'day Isac
I've seen many of them in the wildand not always from the safety of a tour boat ... and 'yes' you do not get anywhere close to them
P