Explained: The science and myth behind crocodile’s tears

In popular imagination, crocodile’s tears mean an insincere display of emotion, especially sorrow, regret and empathy. But do crocodiles actually cry? If yes, why?

People have long tried to establish whether crocodiles cry. (Matthew Abbott/The New York Times)

‘The Voyage and Travel of Sir John Mandeville’ first appeared in French in 1356-57, and in English in 1375. The book is an account of the travels of one “Sir John Mandeville” — whose identity remains uncertain — to strange realms, including truly imaginary ones such as the land of darkness.

One such adventure is in a peculiar country. Says the book: “In that contre·ben gret plentee of cokodrilles. Theise serpentes slen men, and thei eten hem wepynge” [In that country be a great plenty of crocodiles. These serpents slay men, and they eat them weeping]

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Mandeville’s observation of crocodiles weeping while they devour men sealed the reputation of the reptile, although the first-second century Greek philosopher Plutarch and William Shakespeare — who wrote a couple of centuries after Mandeville was published — are also among those who have referred to crocodile’s tears.

In popular imagination, crocodile’s tears mean an insincere display of emotion, especially sorrow, regret and empathy. Around the world it is most often used for politicians who are seen as being fake and theatrical in their reactions to misery and suffering.

So do crocodiles actually cry?

People have long tried to establish whether they do.

In the early eighteenth century, the Swiss physician and naturalist Johann Jakob Scheuchzer declared as incorrect the widely prevalent belief that crocodiles cry while eating.

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“The foundations and substance of this famous old tale are so feeble that today we would be well advised to do without it,” Scheuchzer wrote.

Some two hundred years later, a scientist named George Johnson conducted an experiment, in which he rubbed the eyes of crocodiles with onion and salt.

When they did not weep, he pronounced that “the popular notion of Crocodiles shedding tears is entirely a myth.” (Johnson, 1927, quoted in ‘Crocodile Tears: And thei eten hem wepynge’, Shaner and Vliet: BioScience, July 2007)

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In 2006, neurologist D Malcolm Shaner and zoologist Kent A Vliet digitally filmed three American alligators, two common caimans, and two Yacare caimans — all close relatives of crocodiles — as they were fed on dry land in an alligator park, away from the water that naturally wets their eyes.

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“Five of the seven crocodilians developed moisture in their eyes, bubbles, or overflow bubbles within minutes before, during, or after eating,” the researchers reported. “One Yacare caiman and one common caiman did not lacrimate,” they said.

The conclusion: crocodiles do indeed cry when they eat. Shaner and Vliet reported “the first unequivocal evidence that crocodilians lacrimate during meals and that they do so in a peculiar fashion”. (Shaner and Vliet: BioScience, 2007)

But what makes the crocodiles lacrimate — or cry?

A possible reason is the aggressive movement of jaws while eating, which forces air into the sinuses of the crocodiles and stimulates the tear glands, Shaner and Vliet said.

Crocodile tears, hence, are not from emotional distress.

And can a human being also ‘cry’ while eating?

There is indeed something called “crocodile tear syndrome” or Bogorad syndrome. It is a medical condition in which patients who are recovering from Bell’s Palsy shed tears while eating or drinking.

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Bell’s Palsy is a rare condition in which facial muscles suffer from a temporary weakness or paralysis. It is the result of compression or swelling of a nerve that controls the facial muscles, and can be caused by a viral infection.

Dipanita Nath

Dipanita Nath is a Senior Assistant Editor at The Indian Express, based in Pune. She is a versatile journalist with a deep interest in the intersection of culture, sustainability, and urban life. Professional Background Experience: Before joining The Indian Express, she worked with other major news organizations including Hindustan Times, The Times of India, and Mint. Core Specializations: She is widely recognized for her coverage of the climate crisis, theatre and performing arts, heritage conservation, and the startup ecosystem (often through her "Pune Inc" series). Storytelling Focus: Her work often unearths "hidden stories" of Pune—focusing on historical institutes, local traditions, and the personal journeys of social innovators. Recent Notable Articles (December 2025) Her recent reporting highlights Pune’s cultural pulse and the environmental challenges facing the city during the winter season: 1. Climate & Environment "Pune shivers on coldest morning of the season; minimum temperature plunges to 6.9°C" (Dec 20, 2025): Reporting on the record-breaking cold wave in Pune and the IMD's forecast for the week. "How a heritage tree-mapping event at Ganeshkhind Garden highlights rising interest in Pune’s green legacy" (Dec 20, 2025): Covering a citizen-led initiative where Gen Z and millennials gathered to document and protect ancient trees at a Biodiversity Heritage Site. "Right to breathe: Landmark NGT order directs PMC to frame norms for pollution from construction sites" (Dec 8, 2025): Reporting on a significant legal victory for residents fighting dust and air pollution in urban neighborhoods like Baner. 2. "Hidden Stories" & Heritage "Inside Pune library that’s nourished minds of entrepreneurs for 17 years" (Dec 21, 2025): A feature on the Venture Center Library, detailing how a collection of 3,500 specialized books helps tech startups navigate the product life cycle. "Before he died, Ram Sutar gave Pune a lasting gift" (Dec 18, 2025): A tribute to the legendary sculptor Ram Sutar (creator of the Statue of Unity), focusing on his local works like the Chhatrapati Shivaji statue at Pune airport. "The Pune institute where MA Jinnah was once chief guest" (Dec 6, 2025): An archival exploration of the College of Agriculture, established in 1907, and its historical role in India's freedom struggle. 3. Arts, Theatre & "Pune Inc" "Satyajit Ray, Ritwik Ghatak were not rivals but close friends, says veteran filmmaker" (Dec 17, 2025): A deep-dive interview ahead of the Pune International Film Festival (PIFF) exploring the camaraderie between legends of Indian cinema. "Meet the Pune entrepreneur helping women build and scale businesses" (Dec 16, 2025): Part of her "Pune Inc" series, profiling Nikita Vora’s efforts to empower female-led startups. "How women drone pilots in rural Maharashtra are cultivating a green habit" (Dec 12, 2025): Exploring how technology is being used by women in agriculture to reduce chemical use and labor. Signature Style Dipanita Nath is known for intellectual curiosity and a narrative-driven approach. Whether she is writing about a 110-year-old eatery or the intricacies of the climate crisis, she focuses on the human element and the historical context. Her columns are often a blend of reportage and cultural commentary, making them a staple for readers interested in the "soul" of Pune. X (Twitter): @dipanitanath ... Read More