In 2007, University of Florida zoologist Kent Vliet actually proved that the animals do sob while snacking. But because crocodiles eat while in the water—making a study of their meal-time tears difficult—he studied their close relatives, caimans and alligators, who might dine on dry land. Out of the seven he filmed eating at a Florida alligator park, five teared up before, during, and after eating.

2007年，佛罗里达大学的动物学家肯特·弗利特证明了动物在进食的时候确实会哭泣。但因为鳄鱼是在水中进食的，研究它们进食期间是否会落泪比较困难，所以弗利特就研究了鳄鱼的近亲凯门鳄和短吻鳄，它们会在旱地上进食。他在佛罗里达短吻鳄公园拍摄的七只鳄鱼中，有五只在进食前、进食期间或进食后都会流泪。

Vliet's theory is that when the animals enthusiastically smack their jaws, the movement forces air through the crocodiles’ sinuses and ultimately empties tears into their eyes. Their eyes not only water but can froth and bubble, as Vliet witnessed at the alligator park, where some even teared up in anticipation of their meal of chicks, quail, and feed biscuits.

弗利特的理论是，当动物用力地咀嚼食物时，咀嚼的动作会迫使空气流经鼻窦，从而让眼泪涌出来。据弗利特在短吻鳄公园亲眼目睹，它们的眼睛不但会流泪，还会冒出泡沫，一些鳄鱼甚至在准备吃鸡、鹌鹑和饼干的时候就流下了眼泪。

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