Scientists are decoding saltwater crocodile talk

August 13, 2023 11:42 PM

Scientists are decoding saltwater crocodile talk. And the reptiles have a lot to say. Despite their reputation for being stealthy, crocodiles are very vocal. Now a group of Australian researchers are using video and audio monitoring to try to decipher what their calls mean.
posted by chariot pulled by cassowaries (13 comments total)

🎶 don't be taken in by his welcome grin / he's thinking just how well you'd fit inside his skin 🎶
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 12:02 AM on August 14, 2023 [4 favorites]

Tasty scientists, come closer.
posted by sammyo at 12:53 AM on August 14, 2023 [8 favorites]

I hope they ask indigenous Australians re croc vocalisations.
posted by unearthed at 2:08 AM on August 14, 2023 [5 favorites]

“Hey! Where’s your IRB paperwork?! Don’t I get informed consent?! Listening in on my sexy talk, you scientists!”
posted by GenjiandProust at 3:51 AM on August 14, 2023

If we could talk to the animals—
Yes, learn their languages—
Maybe take an animal degree,
I’d study elephant and eagle,
Buffalo and beagle,
Alligator, guinea pig and flea!
posted by rory at 4:00 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Neat! Although:

Crocodilians diverged from their common ancestor — the archosaur — about 240 million years ago.

Crocs and birds are both still archosaurs.
posted by brundlefly at 7:00 AM on August 14, 2023

"See ya later, alligator."

"After a while, crocodile."
posted by kirkaracha at 7:30 AM on August 14, 2023 [2 favorites]

...tastes like chicken...
posted by mule98J at 8:09 AM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

Having lived in an alligator population mecca, the article lists pretty much what I thought they were vocalizing, "This is my patch" and "I'm hungry." Past midnight in a swamp, the "gator growl" will freeze your testicles right up inside of your body.
posted by Abehammerb Lincoln at 8:22 AM on August 14, 2023 [3 favorites]

Did that first one clear its throat before it started??
posted by Greg_Ace at 9:07 AM on August 14, 2023

Did that first one clear its throat before it started??

It's the vid creator imitating a growl and then getting a response.
posted by thomas j wise at 4:48 PM on August 14, 2023 [1 favorite]

May I just say as a passionate scuba diver who has encountered her share of sharks ... saltwater crocs scare the everloving stuffing out of me. Let's study their language so we can learn to say DON'T EAT ME.
posted by cyndigo at 1:16 PM on August 15, 2023 [1 favorite]

Yeah, I've been within yards of American alligators in the wild and felt no threat. I just walked away and didn't act like a threat to them.

I would go nowhere near a saltwater croc. Or a Nile croc.
posted by brundlefly at 7:42 AM on August 16, 2023