21st Annual Smithsonian Magazine Photo Contest Natural World
Toss one back

This Nile crocodile moved 200 meters over land to feed on a wildebeest carcass that had originally been killed by a lioness. In order to swallow chunks of food the crocodile will throw its head in the air with an open mouth to toss the food further back toward its gullet. They do not have a tongue to help position food the way a mammal does. This photograph was taken in June of 2023 in Nyerere National Park, Tanzania.

Photo Detail
Date Taken: 06.2023
Date Uploaded: 11.2023
Photo Location: Kwa Mhinda, Tanzania
Camera: Canon EOS R3
Copyright: © Nathan Myhrvold