Imagine waking up to the sound of your dogs barking in the middle of the night, only to discover that the intruder is not your average burglar, but a one-meter-long crocodile lurking in your laundry room. This is not the beginning of a horror movie plot, but a real-life scenario that unfolded for Vince Nathan and his wife Raylene, a Northern Territory couple who had an unexpected visitor that would make anyone's heart skip a beat.

Vince was roused from his sleep at 1:30 am by the persistent barking of his dogs, Boff and Bluey. Concerned and curious, he ventured out to investigate the commotion. As he rounded the corner, he came face-to-face with the crocodile. 'He opened his mouth and hissed at me. I took off,' Vince recounted to 9News Darwin, describing the chilling encounter. In a moment of disbelief and urgency, Vince called out to his wife, 'Ray, come look, come look, there's a croc here, mate.'

The couple's first instinct was to seek help from the local snake catcher, but at such an ungodly hour, they were met with an answering machine that humorously advised leaving a message in case of a buffalo sighting or a dangerous dog. Vince humorously noted, 'Well, it's sort of a dangerous dog.'

Crocodile found hiding in NT man's laundry room for two weeks. Credit: The NT News / Instagram

The mystery of how the crocodile ended up in their laundry room remains unsolved. For two weeks, Raylene had been going about her daily chores, unaware that a crocodile was hiding just half a meter away under the table. The couple's home isn't situated near any immediate water sources; the nearest beach is five kilometers away, and a creek known as Crocodile Creek is also in the vicinity. Vince speculated that the crocodile must have trekked two to three kilometers to reach their home, an impressive journey for such a creature.

While the crocodile in question was only a meter long, it's worth noting that saltwater crocodiles, the species likely to be found in the Northern Territory, can grow up to six meters in length. These apex predators are not to be taken lightly, and their presence in a domestic setting is a stark reminder of the wildness that surrounds us, even in our own homes.

This incident serves as a cautionary tale for all of us, especially those living in areas where wildlife encounters are more common. It's important to stay vigilant and be aware of the potential for such visitors, no matter how improbable it may seem. Always keep a safe distance from wild animals and contact local wildlife services for assistance if you find yourself in a similar situation.

Key Takeaways

• A Northern Territory man discovered a crocodile in his laundry room, which may have been hiding there for about two weeks.
• The startled homeowner, Vince Nathan, encountered the crocodile after being alerted by the barking of his dogs at 1.30 am.
• Despite trying to call a local snake catcher, Vince found it was outside of expected hours and had to deal with the reptile himself with his wife's help.
• The source of the crocodile's entry into the home remains unknown, particularly since the house isn't in immediate proximity to any major bodies of water known for crocodiles.

For our readers at the Seniors Discount Club, we'd love to hear your thoughts on this wild encounter. Have you ever had a surprise visit from local wildlife? How did you handle the situation? Share your stories in the comments below, and remember, always check your laundry room before you step in – you never know what might be waiting inside!

 

[deni67]

He would give you a nasty nip if you got too close.
Although i'd rather have that than a venomous snake in my house