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Not being familiar with the area, I had a couple questions I’ve hypothesized answers for. Why didn’t they drink the river water if they were dehydrated? It was
by js2 8y ago
Not being familiar with the area, I had a couple questions I’ve hypothesized answers for.
Why didn’t they drink the river water if they were dehydrated? It was probably too salty. This river is close to the sea.
Why didn’t they swim to high ground instead of climbing a tree? Unless crocodiles are particularly aggressive, I don’t think they likely feared being attacked. More likely they either could not swim, or high ground is much too far away to reach, this being a swamp. (I’m from Florida - gators rarely attack humans.)
- honkycat 8y ago> Why didn't they drink the river water River could be salt water. A lot of river water contains bacteria that will give you severe diarrhea, so drinking the river water will actually further dehydrate you. > Why didn't they swim The river MAY be going too fast to safely swim as well.
- nickthemagicman 8y agoSwim <-> Crocodiles.
- js2 8y agoI think salt is the more likely explanation. If I were dying of dehydration I'd risk the GI distress.
- sizzzzlerz 8y agoAussie crocs are notoriously aggressive. The salt water croc, which infests these waters, can grow upwards of 20+ feet. It doesn't really matter how far from land these guys were nor how deep the water, it's pretty unlikely they'd survive a swim. This situation is the stuff of nightmares.
- js2 8y agoThis sounds like a much harsher environment than the Florida everglades then.
- ganeshkrishnan 8y agoSalt water crocs are active human hunters and will almost definitely kill. They have also dragged humans and livestock from the land back to water. In the water is obviously dangerous and near the water is also fatal.
- chasd00 8y agofrom the looks of the photo, they only survived because crocodiles didn't find them. It wouldn't take a very large crocodile to snatch them right out of those trees.
- ganeshkrishnan 8y agoFlorida Gators are water puppies. Australian salties will hunt humans down even if you are on a beach or within their sight. There is close to zero percent chance of survival even if you as much get closer to the river to drink some water. Some of the crocs fight great white sharks. The Aussie crocs are a nightmare and are one of the few predators to actively hunt and kill humans.
- gotocake 8y agoThe only other predator I know of that sees humans as prey most of the time is the polar bear. Sharks sometimes bite humans as a “test” and then lose interest, wolves need to be desperate or sick to hunt humans, lions and other big cats can become “man eaters” and yet it isn’t their norm. Polar bears just look at us and see a snack.
- js2 8y agoThanks. Wikipedia confirms: Of all the crocodilians, the saltwater crocodile and Nile crocodile have the strongest tendencies to treat humans as prey. The saltwater crocodile has a long history of attacking humans who unknowingly venture into its territory. As a result of its power, intimidating size and speed, survival of a direct predatory attack is unlikely if the crocodile is able to make direct contact. By contrast to the American policy of encouraging a certain degree of habitat coexistence with alligators, the only recommended policy for dealing with saltwater crocodiles is to completely avoid their habitat whenever possible, as they are exceedingly aggressive when encroached upon. Note to self: avoid crocodiles.