Giant crocodile makes light work of hippo calf in dramatic display of power and agility

August 06, 2014

Fearsome predator 'toys' with its prey before taking the poor victim to deeper waters to enjoy its meal
An enormous crocodile dives with a young hippo calf carcass into the water near Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

An enormous crocodile dives with a young hippo calf carcass into the water near Lower Sabie in Kruger National Park, South Africa.

Clearly no one told this giant crocodile it is considered bad manners to play with your food.

The fearsome predator, which can grow up to 6 metres, was photographed seemingly toying with a hippo calf following a kill at Kruger National Park in South Africa.

The dramatic images show the monster appearing to have fun with its prey by tossing it around like a rag doll.

Photographer Roland Ross said he was stunned and surprised by the impromptu 25-minute 'performance' before the predator disappeared into deeper waters with the carcass.

Mr Ross added that the croc appeared much larger than others spotted in the area, with an average length of about four metres.

Crocodiles are not known for playing with their prey after a kill, behaviour which is more common among sea mammals such as dolphins and orca whales, who regularly perform dynamic displays with their food.