How the crocodile whisperer expertly sent a massive saltie into the ocean after it started stalking him, and explains exactly why he thought it was prey in the first place.
- David McMahon came face to face with a crocodile
- He filmed the meeting to teach others
- The wildlife expert has 10 years of experience.
A wildlife expert has revealed how he sent a massive crocodile running back into the ocean after it started measuring it for prey.
David McMahon was collecting cockles along a remote stretch of the Arnhem Land coastline in the Northern Territory on March 17 when he noticed the giant reptile sizing him up from afar in the crystal-clear saltwater.
The wildlife veteran, who has 10 years of experience working with some of Australia’s deadliest animals, took to his phone to film what happened and explained why they saw him as prey.
Mr. McMahon then revealed how he managed to turn the tables on the reptile in a matter of seconds.
“While I’m crouching like this, I’m potential prey, but in a second when I stand up, I go from potential prey to potential threat,” McMahon said in the video.
David McMahon was collecting cockles when he filmed a crocodile assessing it for prey (pictured)

Mr. McMahon (pictured) has worked with crocodiles both in and out of captivity for over 10 years.
Mr. McMahon is a naturalist who has worked in both education and management of captive crocodiles, but said he still respects the dangers they pose.
“If you’re not intimidated by crocodiles then there is something wrong,” he told Daily Mail Australia.
“Crocodiles are opportunistic predators and to stay safe all you have to do is eliminate the opportunity.”
In the video posted online, McMahon showed how quickly the crocodile walked away after asserting his dominance.
While Mr McMahon had the upper hand and was able to spot the crocodile in the shallow, clear water, he said things would have been much different if it were in a deep or murky river.
“On the bank of a muddy river, it would all be over before I knew what was going on,” he said.
McMahon said that he had had several frightening experiences with crocodiles.
“(One night) I was with some mates in a small boat along the coast of Arnhem Land and we were woken up at 3am by a large crocodile biting the bottom of the boat,” he said.
“We scanned the water for the glow from the crocodile’s eyes, but it wasn’t until an hour later that it came back and did it again.”
“We were able to hit the crocodile with a spear on the tail before it could sink us and then it left us alone for the rest of the night without sleep.”

David McMahon was collecting cockles along a remote stretch of coastline in Arnhem Land (pictured) in the Northern Territory when he noticed the predator getting closer

Mr. McMahon (pictured) is a naturalist who has worked in both education and management of captive crocodiles.
Mr. McMahon is a strong supporter of protecting crocodiles in remote areas because they are the top predator in the region and naturally regulate the ecosystem.
In addition to the environmental benefits of maintaining the 160-million-year-old species, they also attract a large number of tourists eager to see the national icon.
Mr. McMahon uses his experience to help educate others on how to stay safe around gators, including doing documentary series and movies about his travels through the bush.
“Whenever you’re in crocodile country, stay alert and stay out of the water,” he said.

In clear water, crocodiles are hard to miss, but in muddier rivers you might not see them until it’s too late, warned Mr McMahon (pictured Darwin’s Adelaide River)