However, it is also present in freshwater rivers, billabongs and swamps. Subordinate animals unable to establish a territory in a tidal river system are either killed or forced out into the sea where they move around the coast in search of another river system. There is always a lot of interest over the largest ever recorded saltie. This is a large-headed species with a heavy set of jaws. A pair of ridges run from the eye orbits along the centre of the snout.
Scales are more oval in shape than other species, and scutes are relatively small.
Juveniles are pale yellow in colour with black stripes and spots on the body and tail. The juvenile colouration persists for several years, growing progressively paler and less colourful with more indistinct bands which eventually disappear. Mature adults are generally dark, with lighter tan or grey areas. Dark bands and stripes are present on the lower flanks, but do not extend onto the belly region. The larger the animal grows, the greater the variety of items that it includes in the diet, with only the smaller items taken less frequently.