Australian Farmer Survives Crocodile Attack by Biting Reptile's Eyelid

In a survival struggle where every second counted, the cattle rancher fought off a 10-foot saltwater crocodile by biting its eyelid - a life-or-death decision that led to his freedom, an 80-mile trip to the hospital and a month-long recovery.

• Australian cattle farmer Colin Deveraux survived a saltwater crocodile attack while fencing on his property by biting the reptile's eyelid, leading the crocodile to release its grip on his foot.
• The incident unfolded near a dried-up billabong in Northern Territory, where the 10-foot 'saltie' crocodile erupted from the stagnant pool and clamped onto Deveraux's right foot, pulling him into the water.
• Deveraux initially attempted to kick the crocodile in its ribs, but resorted to biting the crocodile's thick, leather-like eyelid when the kicking had little effect, a decision he suggests saved his life.
• After escaping the crocodile, Deveraux stemmed the bleeding in his leg using a towel and rope before his brother drove him 80 miles to Palmerston hospital, where he remained for nearly a month and received a skin graft.
• Surviving the attack has caused Deveraux to reassess his actions in the wild, highlighting the risk posed by saltwater crocodiles, whose population dramatically increased in territories such as Queensland and Western Australia following protection from hunting since the 1970s.

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