Crocodile tears help digest food

Many observations have shown that alligators and some of their species actually have tears, especially when they are tearing their prey. But scientists have not really figured out the cause of this phenomenon.

Ancient anecdotes about crocodiles " cry " have formed the phrase " crocodile tears " to describe someone who is crying artificially. But according to Kent Vliet, a member of the University of Florida research team, crocodiles or relatives of the species cannot undergo the same sad and happy feelings as humans!

Crocodile tears can act like human saliva, helping digest food . (Photo: Wallpaperbase)

Vliet also said, 'I have observed crocodiles and found that when they swallow something into their mouths, they often tear.' Vliet is also the one who recently confirmed that the small act of tears in American crocodiles and some of their relatives is completely real!

These tears can play a similar role in human saliva, help them digest food, Vliet added. The ' tear ' (lacrimal or tear) gland, the crocodile's glands are directly connected to the sinuses and it is thought that those tears flow into the sinuses and flow down the crocodile's throat.

Vliet added that 'It was previously thought that those tears had the function of lubricating food to make it easier for the crocodile to swallow, and the small action of tears we see is due to the amount of water. eyes produce too much, causing the phenomenon to flow out. '

Another possibility can also happen: tears are the result of hissing and breathing when eating crocodiles. The air flow through the sinuses pushes the tears out of the eyelids to create the phenomenon we see, Vliet said.

Bui Thanh