This crocodile is watching for prey.


A herd of wildebeests runs to the river’s edge on pounding hooves. A crocodile sits on the other side of the river. It is watching and waiting. T e wildebeests stop at the river.


T ey are thirsty, so they drink the cool water. T e crocodile quietly slips into the


river. It moves forward slowly. Just its eyes, ears, and nose are above the water. T e crocodile can see, hear, and smell the wildebeests. Yet they can’t see it. Some of the wildebeests are ready


to cross the river. T ey move together by instinct. Moving together makes it harder for predators to attack any one of them. T ey start to cross the river.


6 NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC EXPLORER


T e crocodile stops. It floats into


the wildebeests’ path. T e wildebeests still cannot see it. T e crocodile springs forward. Its jaws snap down on one of the smaller wildebeests. T e crocodile dives underwater


with its prey. As it dives, it closes fl aps on its nose and a fl ap in its throat. T en it rolls and rolls. T is is called a death roll. T e wildebeest drowns. T e crocodile drags its prey


to the river bottom. It tucks the body under a fallen tree to eat later. T e rest of the


wildebeests cross the river. T ey huddle together, away from harm.


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