Crocodile treats explorer to terrifying display of agility

As if saltwater crocodiles weren't fearsome enough, a wildlife photographer has filmed proof that the prehistoric killing machines are even more agile than most of us previously imagined.

Trevor Frost, a National Geographic adventurer and documentarian, posted video to Instagram over the weekend of a good-sized, north Australian salty rising out of the water vertically to snap at a morsel offered by a tour guide.

The manoeuvre, which sees the reptile balance almost on the very tip of its tail, is so freakish as to appear preternatural – as if the croc is being levitated by the invisible hand of some diabolical conjurer – but Mr Frost says it's all about raw power.

"Crocodiles have incredibly strong tails," the explorer wrote on Instagram.

"Their tails propel them in the water like torpedoes from a submarine. In fact, as you see here, their tails are so strong that they can propel their entire body out of the water. Crocodiles are so cool."

Source: Instagram