In this image, a grinning American saltwater crocodile cuts through Cuba’s shallow waters. Crocodiles convey their emotions in subtle ways. Stress is seen in narrowed eyes and tense bodies. Fear prompts rapid movements and heightened alertness. Aggression is displayed through forward-thrust jaws and bared teeth, a formidable show of dominance. Despite their ancient lineage, these reptiles possess a primal language of emotion, a testament to their remarkable adaptability. This snapshot captures a living relic of our planet’s history, a creature with a rich inner world shaped by instinctual responses forged through eons of evolution.