Crocodile bulks of swallowed prey flesh and bone. Many large crocodilians swallow stones (called gastroliths or stomach stones), which may act as ballast to balance their bodies or assist in crushing food, similar to grit ingested by birds. Herodotus claimed that Nile crocodiles had a symbiotic relationship with certain birds, such as the Egyptian plover, which enter the crocodile's mouth and pick leeches feeding on the crocodile's blood; with no evidence of this interaction actually occurring in any crocodile species, it is most likely mythical or allegorical fiction. Since they feed by grabbing and holding onto their prey, they have evolved
Madagascan plover environmental change, and thus very sensitive to habitat threats. Three nesting localities are located in protected national parks: lake Tsimanampetsota, Kirindy Mitea, and Baly Bay. Control of predators has been suggested as a conservation measure, however this may be difficult as the predators themselves may be endemic to Madagascar, endangered, or protected species. Madagascan plover The Madagascan plover ("Charadrius thoracicus"), also known as the black-banded plover, is a small (37 g) monogamous shorebird in the family Charadriidae. It is native to western Madagascar that inhabits the shores of lagoons, coastal grasslands, and breeds in salt marshes. These plovers mainly nest