Alligator approaches young people fishing in Tocantins Arthur Wieczorek, 22, shared on social media an unusual interaction with a black caiman nicknamed "Joãozinho" while fishing in a river in Caseara, western region of the state. In the video, you can hear the young man calling for the animal, which approaches the river bank. Biologist Barthira Rezende de Oliveira explains that the reaction, although it may seem friendly, is actually "a response conditioned by the expectation of food." 📱 Click here to follow the g1 TO channel on WhatsApp According to the specialist, who has a master's degree in Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation, and a member of the Brazilian Crocodilian Reference Group, the black caiman is an opportunistic predator that learns to associate sounds and human presence with food, especially in places where fish remains are discarded. "The black caiman doesn't look for people, it looks for food. When fishermen or tourists leave fish, offal or leftover food near the water, the animal can associate that place with an easy source of food and start frequenting it", he highlighted. Despite being able to adjust their movement patterns and habitat use according to variations in the environment, it is not common for these animals to spontaneously approach humans in the wild. Barthira reinforces that, in the case of females in the reproductive period, the behavior can become intensely defensive to protect nests and chicks. READ ALSO: 'New experience', says 53-year-old man who went viral dancing with his girlfriend on an avenue in TO Taquaruçu Gastronomic Festival confirms 20th edition with show by Seu Jorge; check notice Glória Pires reacts to the corn look created by a TO influencer to support Brazil in the World Cup Alligator remained close to young people who were fishing in the river Disclosure/Arthur Wieczorek Considered the largest crocodilian in Brazil, the black caiman is impressive for its size. According to the expert, the species can reach up to 6 meters in total length, with males often exceeding 4 meters. Animals can live for several decades. Regarding safety, the biologist's recommendation is emphatic. "Feeding alligators is never recommended, just as you should not feed any wild animal. It is important to highlight that this approach does not mean domestication or friendly behavior. It is a response conditioned by the expectation of food", he warns. Barthira recalls that the black caiman has the capacity to cause serious injuries, and attacks can occur, especially against swimmers and fishermen in areas where the animals have been conditioned to live. "The main recommendation is to treat every encounter with caution and respect", concludes the biologist. Unpublished study in Tocantins Herpetologist studies the reproductive ecology of black caimans in Tocantins Personal archive/Barthira Rezende Barthira Rezende developed a master's thesis project related to the reproductive ecology of black caimans, through the Postgraduate Program in Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation (PPGBEC) at the Federal University of Tocantins (UFT). The work is the first to study the specific reproduction of the animal in the state. Carried out in the Araguaia National Park, on Bananal Island, the research brought news about the species in the Araguaia-Tocantins basin. During years of field monitoring, she located and characterized nests, obtaining unprecedented data on clutch sizes, hatching success and chick survival. The study is essential for creating conservation strategies in the face of climate pressures and land use in the region. See more news from the region on g1 Tocantins.