The freshwater crocodile is an ambush predator, found only in Australia. It hunts animals below, and above water. And these thirsty bats are all potential prey. These flying foxes must drink, and that presents an opportunity for the crocodiles below. The bats have adapted to the danger. They don’t drink directly from the water. Instead, they dip their bellies and wings and return to the trees to lick the moisture from their fur. But every dip places them in mortal peril. They must be quick. But the crocodile can wait. By dropping its heart rate down to two or three beats a minute, it can hold its breath for over an hour. The flying foxes are swift. Most of the time, the crocodile’s jaw snaps shut on nothing but air and water. But with so many thirsty bats, the odds are in the crocodile’s favour. The crocodile drowns the fruit bats and swallows them whole. In a single sitting, the croc has ingested enough food to sustain it for months.