Buzz
A crocodile in captivity seems to shed tears. Have you ever experienced tears in your eyes without feeling sad, perhaps after eating something spicy or during a sneezing fit?
© Anup Shah/CorbisWhy do we associate crocodiles with insincerity? When we accuse someone of fake sadness, we don’t mention beaver tears or trout crying. Why is that? Are crocodiles inherently more deceptive than other animals?
Centuries ago, a myth emerged that crocodiles lure their prey by crying, then seize the creature in their jaws and devour it. Interestingly, they were also believed to shed tears while eating [source: Dent]. It’s easy to see why people might accuse crocodiles of feigning emotion as they weep over a meal they eagerly killed.
Is there any truth to this story? Surprisingly, it’s not entirely fictional—crocodiles do indeed shed tears over their prey. However, this isn’t a sign of sociopathy; it’s a biological response unrelated to feigned emotions. Crocodiles genuinely produce tears, much like humans or even cats [source: Handwerk]. Moisture gathers in their eyes and eventually overflows, resembling a sad clown’s tears. But why does this happen while they’re eating?
Studying this phenomenon isn’t simple. Crocodiles aren’t exactly cuddly, and their aquatic habitat makes it challenging to observe their eye moisture. In a 2006 study, researchers trained seven crocodilians to feed on dry land and recorded their behavior [source: Shaner]. The findings were intriguing: five out of the seven animals shed tears while eating. (Note: Crocodilia includes crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gharials, and false gharials.)
The exact reason remains unclear, but scientists speculate it could be linked to the hissing, puffing, and blowing sounds crocodiles make while eating. These actions might force air through their sinuses, stimulating tear glands and causing excessive tear production [source: Handwerk]. Another theory suggests that the movement of the crocodile’s head during feeding could trigger the tears [source: Handwerk].
Regardless of the cause, there’s no evidence that crocodiles experience emotional responses to their prey. So, let’s cut them some slack: if you doubt someone’s sincerity, address it directly. There’s no need to bring crocodiles into the conversation.
