In the scorching heat of Southeast Sri Lanka’s dry season, the last remaining waterhole becomes a critical battleground for survival. Here, a massive mugger crocodile, stretching 5 meters long, has traveled for hours in search of a meal that could sustain him through the harsh months ahead. This watering hole is his only hope to catch a deer, a single meal that could last him for the entire dry season.

But the prey is cautious, aware of the lurking danger. To outsmart the deer, the crocodile employs an extraordinary strategy. He digs deep into the mud, creating a hidden trap beneath the vegetation. This perfect camouflage allows him to lie in wait right at the water’s edge, where the deer will inevitably come to quench their thirst.

This clever tactic showcases the crocodile’s ability to exploit the deer’s desperate need for water. As the dry season drags on, this life-and-death struggle highlights the raw, instinctual battle for survival in the wild.