This is the rare moment a crocodile cannibal swallowed the tail of his 10ft freshwater rival whole.
The 16ft saltwater reptile was spotted by Bill Yan, 49 who was fishing in the Daly River in Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory.
The father-of-two was fishing with his son Mitchell, 16, on Easter Sunday when they saw the beast which was even bigger than their 15ft 7in boat.
Mr Yan, who lives in Alice Springs, Australia said: ‘We were cruising up the river and saw a big white thing floating down the river with a load of birds around it.
‘Then we saw some splashing up the bank and saw this big saltie eating what was left of another croc that was floating down the river.
‘He had just killed the smaller crocodile before tearing its legs and tail off – it had all just happened.
The 16ft saltwater reptile was spotted by Bill Yan, 49 who was fishing in the Daly River in Darwin in Australia’s Northern Territory
‘The smaller freshwater croc was probably about three metres [10ft] long and the bigger one was about five metres [16ft] in size.
‘I have seen crocodiles catching fish and things like that, but I have never seen one crocodile eat another crocodile like that. I have heard stories about it though.
‘My son and I were sat there for 10 to 12 minutes watching him try to get the tail lined up so he could swallow it.
The father-of-two was fishing with his son Mitchell, 16, on Easter Sunday
Bill Yan and Mitchell spotted the beast which was even bigger than their 15ft 7in boat
‘We could actually here the bones crunching as it went down.
‘It was definitely not something you see every day. We just happened to be in the right place at the right time.’
Saltwater crocodiles are the world’s largest living reptiles and have been known to grow up 19ft long, while freshwater crocs can reach 13ft in length.
Bill added: ‘In that part of the river there are freshies and salties sharing the habitat together, so you do come across them.
The father and son watched the crocodile try to line up the tail for ten to 12 minutes before swallowing it whole
‘Friends who have seen the footage were really quite in awe – some were shocked, some scared to realise there are such big crocs there, and to think you are cruising in the water with them.
‘You definitely wouldn’t want to be in the water. It’s a tidal part of the river, so there are bull sharks in there too.
‘My boat is 4.8 metres [15ft 7in] so the crocodile was definitely bigger than it.’