In zoology, a death roll is a rapid, full-body rotation performed by crocodiles and alligators after biting prey. This maneuver uses conservation of angular momentum to generate immense shear force, which rips limbs from sockets or breaks bones, allowing the animal to swallow large prey in chunks. While traditionally viewed as a feeding strategy, some recent research suggests it may have evolved primarily as a combat technique to injure rivals or escape entanglement before being coopted for feeding.