ナショナルジオグラフィックのインスタグラム(natgeo) - 9月27日 19時38分

Photo by Cristina Mittermeier @Cristina Mittermeier / An American crocodile cracks a big, toothy grin for my camera in the warm shallows of Cuba’s Jardines de la Reina (Queen’s Gardens). While this crocodilian species tends to show little interest in people, it’s still very important to respect their space. I kept a healthy distance between us and allowed this beauty to approach me and swim off on its own terms. Crocodiles have a bad reputation, but I have always carried a deep respect for these prehistoric reptiles. They are fiercely protective mothers, carrying their babies from the nest to the water in their mouths after they hatch. They serve as key predators in their aquatic territories across the globe, and their evolutionary design is so successful that their appearance has barely changed since the time of dinosaurs. They're an ancient and essential part of our world’s ecosystems and in dire need of protection in the face of encroaching urbanization, climate change, and poaching. I find that sharing their beauty and my own experiences with them helps combat the stigma that they are just mindless predators. They are survivors, devoted parents, and, like all animals, deserve our respect and understanding. Follow me @Cristina Mittermeier for more stories from my work as a conservation photographer with my team @SeaLegacy.

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• Cristina Mittermeier