Did you know? Crocodiles swallow stones to aid digestion and fine-tune their buoyancy?

Опубликовано: 14 Декабрь 2024
на канале: Curious Minds

Crocodiles consume stones, a behavior known as gastrolithy, for the following reasons:

1. Aid in Digestion:

• Crocodiles swallow stones to help grind and break down food in their stomachs, especially if their diet includes hard materials like bones, shells, or large chunks of meat. The stones act as a digestive aid in their muscular stomachs.

2. Buoyancy Control:

• Gastroliths may help crocodiles regulate their buoyancy, making it easier for them to stay submerged or stabilize themselves while swimming and hunting underwater.

3. Behavioral or Accidental:

• In some cases, crocodiles may ingest stones incidentally while eating prey or through curiosity, especially in younger individuals.