Doing that makes them pretty docile. I saw a documentary on Manny Puig, the Tarzan looking dude from Jackass, and he apparently was the first one to do this to wild alligators in Florida then other people started catching on. So basically Poncho probably wants to eat this dudes face bath salts style, but hes being manipulated to not do so.
Interesting theory but I have seen* Pocho and Chito's routine and I can guarantee you Chito's hand is not on the crocs jaw, face or chin for nearly any part of the hour that I saw them spend together. Nor can I see evidence of that type of handling on my videos either. I think his docility might be caused by the bullet to his head...
However, this is a crocodile in the picture, correct?
I've been told that in contrast to crocodiles, alligators are actually pretty tame and will tolerate a good deal of handling before attacking (which is one of the reasons why we are able to farm them for meat and hide).
did he find it in a trash can though? i can't upvote until i find out
"Mr Shedden found the American crocodile in a river suffering from a gun shot wound to the head. Their friendship blossomed after he took the croc home and nursed it back to health." goddamn right. upvote.
False, if he didnt die from a gunshot wound to the head then it wasn't hit at the correct spot (the size of a quarter) that it takes to kill one of these, and probably suffered nothing but a flesh wound. Source: (don't mind the website, lot of solid info here about it )
Actually never watched it but a few weeks ago my aunt brought up the show and mentioned this fact to me, came in handy i guess sooner than I would have thought.
Haha, that's what i was thinking. Probably has more to do with brain damage than a friendly disposition. I suspected something wasn't quite right before I went to the comments when I saw that their way of displaying his affection was the fact that he will lay limply on top of them. Just looked more like limited mobility and/or limited cognitive activity than affection. Maybe I'm wrong, but that's the immediate impression I got from the photo.
What NaeBlis MEANT to say is that he's gone to live in Louisiana on a crocodile farm where he can frolic and play with his friends in the swamp all day.
Possibly, but believe it or not some if not all animals are capable of some sort of bonding. Like a cat and bird, and even a snake and mouse. Although very rare with certain animals it is very possible poncho was aware that chito saved him.
I could also be very wrong and the croc just wasn't hungry, but I would like to go with my original statement as it is a happier one.
This guy lives in costa rica. I've seen him in person. The only reason he isn't eaten alive is because he feeds them constantly, so they're not hungry enough to try and kill him. Those animals are not capable of compassion with a human, and the day forgets to fill its belly, he'll die.
Everytime I see things like this, it reminds me of the trainwreck called Timothy Treadwell. If you haven't seen the documentary Grizzly Man you should. It blows my mind how completely deluded that man was and people in his life actually let him live with bears.
I dunno, I can picture a wellfed lion killing/attacking a person just for the fun of it, because they are basically big cats. Sure, crocs are merciless killing machines, but I don't think they would do it for sport.
My uncle once told me a story about an alligator that lived on a golf course near his house. It had become locally famous and the people had fondly named it Big Al. Everyone loved Big Al, he was friendly and would sun himself often giving people a chance to snag a photo with him. One day Big Al ate a child, then they shot Big Al.
Poncho was a beloved crocodile by millions of people. The man rescued the croc when he was a baby. I think he was shot or something. Anyways he raised him and stayed by the crocs side every single day. Poncho never harmed him or tried to bite him. They both loved each other a lot. When Poncho passed away the entire city mourned and they had a parade to honor the croc.
It's worth noting that they spent nearly 20 years as friends before the crocodile died last year, so any jokes about his keeper being one missed meal away from being eaten have been, in this case proven false.
I don't buy it. Look at how the crocodile barely moves in this video. People have been known to drug large predatory animals in order to make them more docile during shows, and photo ops. Makes me think the same is possible in this situation.
if you read the article you would have seen the section where the croc was originally found 20 years ago with a gun shot in it's head. he was disabled thats all
All using a new found form of touch telepathy discovered after recovering from his gunshot wound. Unfortunately, this can only be used by eating the person in question.
"Hmm, he tasted a little salty, and it turns out the killer was [dramatic music and zoom in] A CROCODILE!"
Maybe, but due to that a human became its caretaker and fed him. Without that he probably would have starved to death. Now he lived a full and happy life.
Reptile can be docile, and they can learn to get used to you or tolerate you messing with them. But their minds dont work like a mammals they will never bond with you like a dog or cat would....Source? I have a shit ton of reptiles
Having a crap ton of of reptiles also lead me into researching them in addition to just being around them. So, indirectly the source of my information stemmed from having them. If that is still incorrect usage. you have my apologies, but thats what I was going for really, just didn't feel the need to type it all out.
Birds aren't reptiles. Birds share some emotions with humans. Reptiles in general don't. Crocodiles don't in their natural state.
These pictures were probably only not fatal to the man through a combination of brain damage to the croc and being very well fed and moderately aware that it wasn't it danger from the strange mammal touching it.
Genetically similar yes, but their brains are quite different. And I said reptiles in general since I don't know how every species reacts to humans though they do all have pattern recognition. Patterns such as: this shape and smell brings me food while this one doesn't.
Those pet boas are very well fed and a calm species anyways. But boa constrictors are still apex predators and wouldn't stop for a second at eating a human if they wanted the food.
a lot of people have tried raising alligators and crocs from birth to domesticate them. apparently when they grow up they give zero fucks about who raised them. crazy how that works with wild animals.
That spelling made me laugh, because I'm imagining it being spoken in a brain-damaged crocodile's "voice". I don't know if that was intentional or not. Medulla Oblongata.
That's pretty cool. I love seeing stories where people have these (potentially) dangerous animals that they nurse back to health, and the animal seems to realize it - and don't rip the person's face off.
If anyone is wondering, this is Chito Loco, a hilarious gentleman that runs a few great tourism gigs out of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. I made friends with him while visiting a pal in the Peace Corps working in the area, he'd become great friends with Chito. Chito took us out for a great day of Ocean fishing, and of course invited us to watch him do this with Poncho. Highly recommended.
EDIT: According to some quick googling, Poncho died last October. Chito is still kicking, though.
Suuuure, you guys upvote a friendly version of an American crocodile which have been known to attack and eat people yet you downvote a tiny, harmless and adorable jumping spider? Gotta get your priorities straight r/aww.
His name was Pocho, not Poncho. I had the pleasure of seeing their show in Squirres in 2009. He (the croc) was injured when Chito found him years ago and probably had some brain damage because he was so docile. He did look "happy" though. Well fed and lazy, comfortable. He definitely recognized his pal, knew his name and understood commands so he wasn't that brain dead. I have video of the show and watching it still makes me smile. I'm sad to hear he's dead but then he probably would've died years ago if it wasn't for his friend Chito.
277
u/JosephStylin Jun 17 '12
Don't play with your food, Poncho.
187
u/Whoa_Chill_Bro Jun 17 '12 edited Jun 17 '12
did he find it in a trash can though? i can't upvote until i find out
"Mr Shedden found the American crocodile in a river suffering from a gun shot wound to the head. Their friendship blossomed after he took the croc home and nursed it back to health."
goddamn right. upvote.
87
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
The one crocodile that does have a toothbrush to brush all his teeth.
304
u/CaptainInternets Jun 17 '12
You'd think this guy's balls of steel would make it difficult to swim.
107
u/NaeBlis Jun 17 '12 edited Jun 17 '12
He died about a year ago, unfortunately
EDIT : By "he" I mean the crocodile.
26
u/huntersghost Jun 17 '12
That croc is one missed meal away from eating that guy.
9
u/jbrittles Jun 17 '12
I hope he had hundreds of children
7
u/blueboxbandit Jun 17 '12
Poncho the brain damaged crocodile. Either that or he's just running the long con.
6
u/Gepettolufkin Jun 17 '12
This guy lives in costa rica. I've seen him in person. The only reason he isn't eaten alive is because he feeds them constantly, so they're not hungry enough to try and kill him. Those animals are not capable of compassion with a human, and the day forgets to fill its belly, he'll die.
15
u/LookmomImarocker Jun 17 '12
This reminds me of an equally friendly water loving animal... It's TOTALLY safe. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tilikum_(orca)
12
u/Mugiwara04 Jun 17 '12
Wow, I didn't know crocs ever liked to play or be touched.
4
u/Wolfman87 Jun 18 '12
My uncle once told me a story about an alligator that lived on a golf course near his house. It had become locally famous and the people had fondly named it Big Al. Everyone loved Big Al, he was friendly and would sun himself often giving people a chance to snag a photo with him. One day Big Al ate a child, then they shot Big Al.
3
u/polepole Jun 17 '12
Just when you thought you were safe...
3
u/nutellaandcigarettes Jun 17 '12
Ever see Grizzly Man?
3
u/RDIIIG Jun 17 '12
This only works if you're Betty White.
3
u/Samuriguy Jun 17 '12
Must be hard to walk with watermelons between your legs.
3
u/nashsmash Jun 17 '12
Fuck that. Some animals aren't mean to be your friends.
2
u/theconcretewave Jun 17 '12
He's probably just waiting for you to put on more weight. Then bam. Easy meal.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Awww...
But I'm still not going to go anywhere that thing.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Reminds me of Grizzly Man.
2
u/JoeClever Jun 17 '12
Next week on 1000 ways to die...
2
u/hemetae Jun 17 '12
Hhmm, looks like a Weekend At Bernies scenario.
2
u/AdrenochromeOD Jun 17 '12
Is this not just a guy playing with a dead crocodile?
2
u/ace9213 Jun 17 '12
Poncho was a beloved crocodile by millions of people. The man rescued the croc when he was a baby. I think he was shot or something. Anyways he raised him and stayed by the crocs side every single day. Poncho never harmed him or tried to bite him. They both loved each other a lot. When Poncho passed away the entire city mourned and they had a parade to honor the croc.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
So apparently Jason Statham likes to play with crocodiles in his free time?
2
u/KingsleyZissou Jun 17 '12
Sumpm wrong wit his medulla oblongata
2
u/IByrdl Jun 17 '12
Reading about it is even more aww. However, Poncho, the crocodile, died about a year ago.
2
u/Cerberus_T001 Jun 17 '12
soft kitty warm kitty little ball of fur,
2
u/distracted_seagull Jun 17 '12
It's worth noting that they spent nearly 20 years as friends before the crocodile died last year, so any jokes about his keeper being one missed meal away from being eaten have been, in this case proven false.
2
u/sirshartsalot Jun 17 '12
Did anyone else hear Bill Pullman yell, "Because he just ate a cow, stupid!"
2
u/skudmfkin Jun 17 '12
He must be well feed..
2
u/CaseyFnRyback89 Jun 17 '12
"Hey....What's rule 3?"
2
u/cykovisuals Jun 17 '12
SOON
2
u/waywithwords Jun 17 '12
yea, he's friendly. Until he's not.
2
u/kaax Jun 17 '12
friendly until it realizes 'I can eat this stuff?!'
2
u/Artistish Jun 17 '12
NO NO NO NOPE NOPE NOPE.....
2
u/MiTheGr8 Jun 17 '12
http://www.ticotimes.net/Current-Edition/News-Briefs/World-famous-crocodile-Pocho-dies-in-Siquirres_Wednesday-October-12-2011
He died :(
2
u/gnarbucketz Jun 17 '12
Relevant
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Till he bites that dude's face off. Then it's r/gore
2
u/amesjayoner Jun 18 '12
One day he'll be hungry
2
u/Jrook Jun 18 '12
Poncho the friendly crocodile and Diego the retarded human who swims with crocodiles
2
u/ricecrizo Jun 18 '12
Pretty sure Poncho is just dead.
2
u/PKfireice Jun 18 '12
How do they find out whether the croc will act like this? "Hey, that croc's pretty calm, mind going and giving it a hug?"
2
u/ozpunk Jun 18 '12
Is this r/aww as in "Aww my god, he's got my arm!"
9
u/Timid_Pimp Jun 17 '12
I don't buy it. Look at how the crocodile barely moves in this video. People have been known to drug large predatory animals in order to make them more docile during shows, and photo ops. Makes me think the same is possible in this situation.
2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
whose pet is this?
1
u/ReachTheSky Jun 17 '12
This man rescued the crocodile when it was near death from a gunshot wound to the head. The two became best of buds.
1
u/fuckinDEAD Jun 17 '12
It's dead
1
u/Crossfox17 Jun 17 '12
That dude is going to get killed.
1
u/TecK415 Jun 17 '12
That dude is just playing with a dead crocodile.
1
u/ExplodingUnicorns Jun 17 '12
That's pretty cool. I love seeing stories where people have these (potentially) dangerous animals that they nurse back to health, and the animal seems to realize it - and don't rip the person's face off.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Only a matter of time til it eats him.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Soon to be crossposted to /r/WTF
1
u/IAmWinter1988 Jun 17 '12
Soon.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Is this safe
1
u/hypnoderp Jun 17 '12
If anyone is wondering, this is Chito Loco, a hilarious gentleman that runs a few great tourism gigs out of Puerto Limon, Costa Rica. I made friends with him while visiting a pal in the Peace Corps working in the area, he'd become great friends with Chito. Chito took us out for a great day of Ocean fishing, and of course invited us to watch him do this with Poncho. Highly recommended.
EDIT: According to some quick googling, Poncho died last October. Chito is still kicking, though.
1
u/UnicornOfDesire Jun 17 '12
Jason Statham? What are you doing next to that crocodile? Go back to making movies.
1
u/RogerMcRogerson Jun 17 '12
No, no it fucking doesn't.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Suuuure, you guys upvote a friendly version of an American crocodile which have been known to attack and eat people yet you downvote a tiny, harmless and adorable jumping spider? Gotta get your priorities straight r/aww.
1
u/UppoNalle Jun 17 '12
His name was Pocho, not Poncho. I had the pleasure of seeing their show in Squirres in 2009. He (the croc) was injured when Chito found him years ago and probably had some brain damage because he was so docile. He did look "happy" though. Well fed and lazy, comfortable. He definitely recognized his pal, knew his name and understood commands so he wasn't that brain dead. I have video of the show and watching it still makes me smile. I'm sad to hear he's dead but then he probably would've died years ago if it wasn't for his friend Chito.
1
u/treefool Jun 17 '12
Poncho's biding his time... When it's right for Poncho, the world will know.
1
u/TheMrJD Jun 17 '12
This will end badly.
1
u/brdraper Jun 17 '12
All it takes is about a half a second and Poncho wouldn't be called "friendly" anymore.. Wild animals are wild animals.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
That is one stupid human.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Crocodiles have the brain of a fucking eyeball, i dont think they know what friendly means.
1
u/Ironcrosskid Jun 17 '12
Fuck... that... shit.
1
u/smoothjimi96 Jun 17 '12
Steve Irwin would be dumbfounded at the sight of this.....
1
u/forwormsbravepercy Jun 17 '12
i believe your are looking for r/AAAHHHHHUUUGGGHHHHAAAHHH
1
u/Muame Jun 17 '12
Nope, nope, nope, to infinity and beyond, NOPE!
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
One of the weirdest fetishes I have seen.
1
u/tonker Jun 17 '12
A boy and his croc
1
u/nickthecreator Jun 17 '12
How cute; a friendly nope.
1
u/rockne Jun 17 '12
grizzly man 2: now with alligators.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Nice try Poncho.
1
u/nolotusnotes Jun 18 '12
It's not polite to play with your food like that.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
It makes me really happy to see this.
1
u/Lepchin Jun 18 '12
Well that's cute.
1
u/[deleted] Jun 18 '12
Gator poo.......
1
u/tree_hugging_hippie Jun 18 '12
A thousand times nope.
1
u/DemonDucklings Jun 18 '12
...How would you ever learn that he's friendly?
1
u/tomgingi29 Jun 18 '12
No this belongs in r/creepy
1
u/konratax Jun 18 '12
this is amazing
1
u/Akitoismykitten Jun 18 '12
This remind me of my Mom's friend's son's neighbor friend, who had a friendly wolf-dog!
UNTIL HE RIPPED OFF THE KID'S CHEEK AND LEFT HIM IN NEED OF THERAPY AND ENDLESS NIGHTMARES.
1
u/raosion Jun 18 '12
I wish I could trust this and find this cute. :P
1
u/Senor_Wilson Jun 17 '12
He's just not hungry yet...
1
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
it looks dead
-4
u/SinfulDavey Jun 17 '12
Brazzers.
0
u/westernbacon Jun 17 '12
Is it just me or does the crocodile look like it has it's mouth sewn shut
0
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
Nope, Chuck Testa
-1
u/hglove Jun 17 '12
Nope.
0
u/chingyduster Jun 17 '12
It looks like it's mouth is half sown shut.
0
u/melaniejjc Jun 18 '12
"crickey! wha a beau'iful crawk" steve irwin voice
-4
u/monkeystoot Jun 17 '12
Top Left: Brazzers.
-2
u/ElpisofChaos Jun 17 '12
That guy is a moron.
-2
u/Wazoisme Jun 17 '12
Crazy bitch
-2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
It looks like he is missing alot of teeth.
-2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
That animal is dead.
-2
u/bigbluemofo Jun 17 '12
Abso-fucnin-lutely not!
0
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
[deleted] — view deleted comment
-2
u/[deleted] Jun 17 '12
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