A MONKEY MEAL

We arrived at Ximongwe dam one afternoon and watched as a troop of monkeys tentatively moved to the waters edge to drink. While they were doing so we noticed a crocodile's eyes slowly sink below the surface of the water. About 30 seconds later this serene picture exploded as a crocodile launched its body out the water and snapped one of the monkeys into its jaws.

The crocodile threw the monkey onto the water, lashing around until it was dead. It then disappeared under the water and popped up about 30m further trying to swallow its meal. It seemed to be attempting to get the monkey's head down first.

With all this action a larger crocodile showed up on the scene and tried to steal the monkey. The crocodile disappeared under the water again and came up onto one of the banks on the far side of the dam. We could see as it got the head down first and then struggled with the back legs. After a few minutes the entire monkey had disappeared and the crocodile lay down to sun itself as it digested. 

Posted: Phinda by Jacques van Eck, Date: 22 September 2010