[Gad Harr]

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I have always wondered, why do crocodiles shed tears? and why do they ascribe crocodile tears to people?

[Diana chloe]

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The allusion is to the ancient notion that crocodiles weep while devouring their prey. It has been known for centuries that crocodiles weep while eating. They have tear glands just like most other animals. And zoologists have recorded alligators, close relatives of crocodiles, shedding tears while they’re eating. This parallel may be significant—rather than being an emotional response, the shedding of tears probably happens because of the way crocodiles and alligators eat: when eating their prey they will often huff and hiss as they blow out air, and their tear glands may empty at the same time the production of so many tears is the result of the hisses and huffs the animals make while devouring their prey. This feeding behavior forces air through the sinuses and stimulates the lacrimal gland to produce excessive tears. Some of the air escaping also produces the frothing and bubbling

[Katelyn Cassin]

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Crocodiles have two forms of tears produced from two different sources. The first comes from a lacrimal gland located under the back portion of the orbital roof. These tears appear to help lubricate the eye in the same way the glands in humans do. Crocodiles also have a third eyelid, known as a nictitating membrane. This membrane is clear, and when closed, allows the crocodile to see while still maintaining eye moisture underwater. The second type of tears are produced by specialized glands called Harderian glands. These are located on the underside of the leading edge of their third eyelid. These glands secrete a specialized oily tear. It is thought this type helps protect the eyes from the osmotic effects of water on the cornea.

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