Crocodile hidden in muddy pond suddenly appears to lunge at his meal
This is the heart-stopping moment a well-concealed monster crocodile leaps out of a lake in Darwin, snapping at an experienced animal handler.
The incredible footage revealed how Bullo the croc was disguised under still, thick and slimy green water and then in one quick bound he emerged almost out of nowhere, coaxed out by a bat carcass.
Reptile expert Matt Wright can be seen immediately springing to his feet to back away, about an arm’s length from the croc’s chompers.
He then carefully feeds Bullo the dead bat while ensuring his limbs are a safe distance away.
“Bullo displaying just how fast these creatures can launch out of the water when they really want something,” Mr Wright wrote on Instagram while sharing the video.
“Remember to only swim in the publicly open waterholes around the [Northern] Territory and stay aware around all bodies of water.
“You can see how calm this water is and how quickly it all changes.”
The post, uploaded two days ago, has racked up about 250,000 views by the time of publication.
The crocodile was initially a problematic wild reptile. Mr Wright said the animal domesticated after he tried to eat someone a few years back right.
One viewer called Bullo a “stealth lizard”.
“Far out! I’ve watched this 6 times and I jump every time!” another man commented.
A third wrote: “This is so scary. I would have tripped over myself trying to get away and I would have been his dinner.”
The close call comes as two fishermen in remote Kakadu National Park were rescued after two days stranded in a tree above crocodile-infested waters.
Last week a beloved 80-year-old saltwater crocodile was found dead, devastating residents of Far North Queenslanders.
