In an unusual duck brood, a crocodile egg was accidentally included. The mother duck instinctively incubated it alongside her own eggs, and when the little crocodile hatched from the shell along with the ducklings, she did not even take notice. The crocodile, too, seamlessly integrated into the duck flock, behaving as though it was a full-fledged member of the group.
Videos clearly show that the animal considers itself an integral part of the duck family.
Judging by its size, the crocodile hatched in a previous generation of ducklings and truly sees itself as «part of the team.» The video captures how the animal returns to the nest and comfortably settles next to the mother duck and other ducklings. Thanks to its cold-blooded nature, the crocodile likely feels at ease in such company. Moreover, familiar scents and habitual behavior add to the sense of «home.»
- In the wild, crocodiles and birds often coexist. For instance, in the swamps of Florida, storks and ducks nest very close to alligators.
- This cooperation is mutually beneficial: the birds’ nests are protected from rodents, while the crocodiles hunt the small mammals that come to the nesting area in droves.
This particular crocodile, which has assumed the role of a member of the duck flock, was captured on video:
Eventually, the crocodile will likely leave the nest and head to the swamp, while the duck will raise her ducklings and also move to a different location.
