Nile crocodiles are the largest in Africa

　　In this image, a large crocodile is seen leaping clear of the ground in an attempt to snatch a chicken offered to it by a resident, in a pose which brings to mind a cat jumping for a toy.
The residents of Bazoule, a community outside Burkina Faso's capital Ouagodougou, began to hold the reptiles sacred around 600 years ago and offer them chickens as a sacrifice.

The tradition has continued to this day and visitors regularly go to the village to watch the ritual.
The deadly reptiles and villagers appear to live happily side-by-side with children apparently happy to play and do chores just yards from them.
Photographer Oliver Born, who captured the images, said: "It shows that crocodiles are not just ferocious and dangerous animals and that they deserve to be protected. Crocodiles are today completely integrated in the life of the population.

"It's not rare to see some children playing just metres away from them - it is quite a magical place."
The practice started in the 14th century when a local chief called Koud Naba ruled the area. During this period the inhabitants started believing the Nile crocodiles brought the seasonal rains, the absence of which can cause drought and starvation across the Sahel.
Now there are more than 100 of the creatures, which might not bring in the rains but certainly bring in the tourists.
Nile crocodiles are the largest in Africa. They can grow to almost 20 feet in length.