Cannibal croc

QJOHAN VERMAAK from Somerset West writes: I saw this crocodile at Sunset Dam near Lower Sabie in the Kruger Park. At first I thought the adult was holding a baby croc in its mouth, but when it turned around I saw that the tail had been eaten off. I’ve never seen anything like it. Is it natural for one croc to eat another?

AReptile expert NICK EVANS says: Crocodiles are indeed known to feed on each other, particularly on smaller individuals. They are cannabalistic and usually kill their prey and feed in the water. It’s hard to say what happened, but I suspect that this crocodile killed its prey in the water and then brought it ashore to escape competition from other crocodiles that wanted their share. Judging by the state of the dead croc, I’d say there was a tug of war with another big individual. It’s a remarkable sight, especially when you consider that the dead croc is no juvenile…

It was far away, but I think it’s a python. Is it common for snakes to enter nests?

ASnake expert JOHAN MARAIS says: This juvenile python will soon shed its skin – look at the colour of its eyes. When snakes are preparing to moult, their eyes become a blueish grey as the old skin covering the eye separates from the new skin – the snake will moult within a week or two. During this period the snake can’t see too well and will look for a place to hide. This python must have thought the nest was good for that purpose.