Indian crocodiles seen saving dog from feral pack attack, but scientists divided over what it means

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Scientists in India noticed mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) interacting with a canine that had been chased into the river by a feral pack.  (Picture credit score: Utkarsha Chavan)

Scientists in India have noticed mugger crocodiles participating in some unusual behaviors, together with looking in packs, utilizing sticks as bait to lure herons and egrets inside placing vary, exhibiting curiosity in flower garlands floating within the river and even saving a feral canine that had been chased by different canine. 

The new research, printed Aug. 26 within the Journal of Threatened Taxa, means that mugger crocodiles (Crocodylus palustris) inhabiting the Savitri River in Maharashtra, India are extra cognitively superior than scientists at present consider. 

As tantalizing as these observations are, although, an professional Dwell Science contacted is skeptical, noting that whereas the looking behaviors have beforehand been reported — anecdotally — the latter two claims are virtually actually anthropomorphic conjecture. 

a mugger crocodile on the bank of a river next to a garland of marigolds

The authors mentioned the crocodiles look like interested in marigolds. (Picture credit score: Utkarsha Chavan/Chavan & Borkar 2023)