A galenanca den would be dug into the earth along a river bank, with its entrance below the water's surface, sloping upward to a dry chamber with an air vent. If prey was too large to swallow whole, the reptile would drag it back to the den to devour piecemeal; thus, some treasure might accumulate in the den. The galenanca had good nocturnal and underwater vision, as well as a booming voice; its "songs" could be heard echoing across the marshland at night. Fish, waterfowl and pigs were the creature's normal diet, but it would not hesitate to supplement that with Men should the opportunity arise.