Researchers make alarming find while playing baby sounds near Nile crocodiles.

Researchers⁢ Stumble Upon Disturbing‌ Discovery After Playing Human Baby Noises Near⁣ Nile Crocodiles

Anyone who has been near a ​crying baby knows the sound drowns out virtually everything else​ – and⁢ for ⁢good reason. Babies typically cry for a reason, whether they’re hungry, tired, hurt or simply in need of some companionship, ⁢there are not many infants who whine for ‌nothing.

While this is an⁢ efficient way to alert nearby humans of a baby in need, the cries can also trigger a disturbing‍ response to‌ creatures well‍ outside of the human species.

Researchers recently discovered one haunting predatory response was especially triggered by infant hominid cries.

According to a paper ​published via Royal ‍Society Publishing in​ “Proceedings of​ the⁣ Royal Society B: Biological Sciences” on Wednesday, these cries​ elicit a driving response in Nile crocodiles.

Playing “distress⁢ vocalizations” of babies belonging ​to several different hominid species, including bonobos, chimpanzees and humans, researchers noticed that ⁢the ‍noises didn’t ⁣just attract the vicious reptiles but even determined the intensity of their predatory response.

Disturbingly, several factors​ were found to ⁣influence how‍ aggressive these reptiles act.

Features of the recorded⁣ cries (Settle down, PETA ⁣– ⁣no​ bonobos were harmed in this experiment) including “harmonicity and spectral prominences” played a major part in determining the crocodile behavior.

Researchers found a disturbing‍ link indicating that crocodiles are sensitive to the‌ overall “distress” present ‌in infants’⁣ cries.

“They just react, ⁤more because⁢ it triggered some probably innate response,” University⁤ of Copenhagen ‍behavioral ecologist Elodie F. Briefer told Smithsonian Magazine.

Briefer added:​ “That might be⁣ a predatory response to a prey in distress, or it could⁢ be because the sound ⁤resembles a bit what their own offspring⁤ are doing.”

If an infant is crying and a 16-foot⁤ crocodile is approaching however, don’t assume the‍ cold-blooded killer wants to help babysit.​ These ‌are ruthlessly efficient killers with a firm hold in their ecological niche.

The published study recorded predatory behavior in many of the crocodiles⁣ hearing infant cries. Many of the⁤ reptiles approached speakers playing the noises‌ silently, as if poised⁢ to ambush. Some even attacked ⁢the speakers.

Interestingly, the crocodiles were apparently able to more accurately⁣ determine the level of​ distress ‍in bonobo infant cries than humans were.

This detail underscores the reptile’s place as the undisputed apex predator in murky waterways.

According to ⁣ the International Union⁤ for Conservation of Nature, crocodilian species are responsible ⁣for thousands of attacks ‌on humans, hundreds of which are ​fatal interactions.

Nile crocodiles in​ particular are responsible‌ for a large share of these deadly attacks.

The aggressive animals’ attraction to infant‌ cries makes perfect sense in⁢ the context of the⁤ hunters’⁢ lifestyle.⁤ Always on the lookout for an⁤ easy meal, crocodiles are opportunistic hunters that can easily wait just below a murky river’s surface until the ⁣perfect​ moment to ​strike appears.

In the case of a ⁣highly distressed ⁤infant, it could present the ‌predator with an opportunity for⁣ an easy and unattended meal⁢ or the chance ‍to ⁣snap at a distracted adult hominid.

If you plan to visit anywhere within the territory of the dreaded Nile crocodile, the best course of action is to simply stay away from the water — especially if you have a young‌ one.

The post Researchers ‍Stumble Upon Disturbing ‍Discovery After Playing Human Baby Noises Near Nile‍ Crocodiles appeared first on⁣ The Western Journal.