An Australian photographer has captured the moment a crocodile decided to snack on a yellow faced turtle, complete with its shell.
Photographer Tissa Ratnayeke snapped the photos at Fogg Dam Conservation Reserve, east of Darwin, over Easter Weekend.
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"I noticed a large adult freshwater crocodile up on the bank with a yellow faced turtle in its jaws," wrote Ratnayeke on Facebook.
Ratnayeke was able to get within a few metres of the crocodile, watching it devour the unsuspecting turtle.
"The crocodile proceeded to toss the turtle around in its mouth, chomping down on it firmly, resulting in loud crunching and shattering of the shell. It all seemed effortless," he wrote.
Apparently the crocodile was not a dainty eater.
"Considering the non-delicate manner of the chomping, I'm surprised there were no visible cuts to its jaws or mouth from the large fragments of broken shell," he said.
After a few minutes, the turtle met its unfortunate end.
"I had been watching for six minutes, the croc raised its head high and swallowed the whole thing in a couple of gulps before quietly sliding backwards into the water."
Ratnayeke told Newshub he wasn't afraid to take the pictures so closely.
"There are two species of crocs in Australia. This species is smaller and doesn't eat people, but they can bite."
He said he stayed in his vehicle while he shot the crocodile, so the animal felt less threatened and he could get closer.
Newshub.
