The expression “crocodile tears” means that someone is displaying superficial or false sympathy. In other words, they are a hypocrite, crying fake tears and really having no emotion. This old cliché comes from an ancient belief that crocodiles cry when consuming their prey. This article will explore if, in fact, crocodile tears are real and not just an old cliché.

Where does the expression come from?

The Voyage and Travel of Sir John Mandeville, published in 1400 and widely read, explains, “In that country be a general plenty of crocodiles…These serpents slay men and eat them weeping.” Therefore, the ancient anecdote explaining the fact that crocodiles cry for their victims has been around since at least the 14^th century. The expression continued with William Shakespeare, who regularly used the expression in his plays.

Is it true?

Crocodiles do form tears from their eyes, but it is unlikely the tears are linked to an emotional response. Most likely the tear ducts function to provide lubrication to the crocodile’s eyes, much like human beings. Crocodiles are more likely to produce tears when they have been on land for a long period, such as when they are stalking and eating their prey. They may also produce tears to remove excess salt from their bodies, taken in with food they eat in the saltwater environment.

Caimans, a close relative of the crocodile, were studied in captivity and found to generate tears when feeding just like crocodiles. Scientists at the time suggested that the tears were caused by the warm air caimans hiss out through their noses when they feed, which stimulates the tear ducts.

Other theories suggest that crocodiles shedding tears while eating actually helps them digest their food, similar to the function of saliva in humans. In crocodiles, their tear ducts are connected to their sinuses, so tears actually run down their throats, which is why this suggestion is possibly true. Like saliva, tears provide lubrication that helps the crocodile chew and digest their food.

While there is plenty of physical evidence that crocodiles do indeed cry when eating, there is also scientific explanation for this physical reaction. When a crocodile eats, they mean it, and most likely their tears are in no way because they are sad. Here are some other fun facts about crocodiles:

• Crocodiles can swim up to 25 mph just with their tail
• On farms, Crocodiles can reach 5 feet (1.5 meters) long in a year
• Crocodiles can live up to 80 years
• Only 1% of Crocodile young survive their first year; the rest are eaten by fish, birds, lizards and adult Crocodiles
• Crocodiles sweat through their mouths and can be seen jaws wide on banks of rivers to cool off
• In possession of 24 teeth for grasping and crushing, crocodiles swallow stones to actually grind their food
• Crocodiles are especially aggressive during monsoon season
• Treasured for their durable, soft skin, Crocodile hides are a tribal status symbol
• Some New Guinea tribes give themselves scars to match the hide of a Crocodile