Australian Saltwater Crocodile

## Description

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus ) is a crocodilian native to saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands from India's east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia and Micronesia. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996. It was hunted for its skin throughout its range up to the 1970s, and is threatened by illegal killing and habitat loss. It is regarded as dangerous to humans.

The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile and crocodilian known. Males grow to a length of up to 6 m (20 ft), rarely exceeding 6.3 m (21 ft) or a weight of 1,000–1,300 kg (2,200–2,900 lb). Females are much smaller and rarely surpass 3 m (10 ft).It is also known as the estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, sea crocodile or informally as saltie.

The saltwater crocodile is a large and opportunistic hypercarnivorous apex predator. It ambushes most of its prey and then drowns or swallows it whole. It is capable of prevailing over almost any animal that enters its territory, including other apex predators such as sharks, varieties of freshwater and saltwater fish including pelagic species, invertebrates such as crustaceans, various amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans.

## Appearance

The Australian saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile in the world with a large head and ridges, stretching from each eye along the center of the animal's snout. Its body is covered with oval scales while the scutes are smaller than these of other reptiles. Juveniles are identified by pale yellow coloration as well as black colored patches and markings on their tail and body. Usually, they retain this coloration for several years, until they become adults. Meanwhile, the body of adult crocodiles is darker, displaying a lighter tan with gray spots. The ventral part is colored with white or yellow, and the gray tail has dark stripes. The lower side of their body is covered with bands, which do not reach their belly.

## Distribution

The area of their distribution covers a vast territory: they inhabit the islands of Indonesia and New Guinea as well as the northern coasts of Australia; the crocodiles also occur along the shores of Sri Lanka and eastern India; they live in the estuaries of Southeast Asia to central Vietnam. The saltwater crocodiles can also be found in Borneo, the Philippines, Palau, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. During the dry season, they most frequently occur downstream at estuaries, sometimes living in the open sea. With the approaching of the wet season, they move to freshwater bodies, inhabiting swamps and rivers.

## Behavior

The Australian saltwater crocodile is a highly territorial but not at all social animal. These reptiles are not tolerant of their own kind; typically, they do not mind females on their territory, but will fiercely drive away rival males. The saltwater crocodiles are night hunters, spending the daytime hours moving through water or sunbathing. Being cold-blooded animals, these reptiles have to constantly maintain their body temperature. When it gets too hot, they usually dive into the water, leaving their eyes and nostrils above the surface, until they cool down. When the temperature is low, they climb on flat rocks and busk in the sun to warm up. They use various forms of communication, including vocalizations as well as visual and chemical signals. Meanwhile, young crocodiles usually emit "chirping" sounds in order to attract the attention of their mother or to keep members of the creche together.

## Diet

Australian saltwater crocodiles are carnivorous. Their diet differs with the age. Thus, young crocodiles primarily feed upon small prey such as insects, amphibians, crustaceans as well as some small species of fish and reptile. Adult individuals consume larger prey, preferring mud crabs, snakes, turtles, birds, wild boars, monkeys and buffaloes.

## Reproduction

The saltwater crocodiles have a polygynous mating system with males, mating with multiple females. The breeding season in this species matches the wet season, lasting from November to March. During this period, male crocodiles mark their territory, defending it from other males. Meanwhile, females become intolerant to each other, competing for dominance. Usually, 40-60 eggs are laid on the river bank, in a special mound of vegetation, and incubated for around 90 days. Then, hearing the identifying chirping sounds that the hatchlings usually emit, the mother digs the eggs out. After that, the female carries the young in her mouth, introducing them into the water and caring for them, until young crocodiles learn to swim. During the first eight months of their lives, the young live in creches under the supervision of the adults. Male crocodiles are sexually mature at 16 years old and females - by the age of 10-12 years.

## Population

### Population threats

The saltwater crocodile attracts hunters for its leather. In addition, the animal currently suffers from loss of its natural habitat as well as coastal development within its home range.

### Population number

According to the IUCN Red List, the total population size of the Australian saltwater crocodile is over 400,000 mature individuals. Currently, this species is classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List and its numbers today are stable.

### Ecological niche

These reptiles are an important link in the ecosystem of their habitat. Being predators, they control the distribution and numbers of prey species' populations. Juveniles of the saltwater crocodile are a valuable source of food for other animals in the area, including birds and snakes. On the other hand, due to burrowing and constructing nests, these animals create aquatic habitat, which benefits various plant and animal species, helping them survive during dry and wet seasons.

## Fun Facts for Kids

The massive jaw of this reptile contains as much as 64-68 teeth. Lost teeth quickly grow back, so all in all, a crocodile can grow about 8.000 teeth during its life.

Muscles on the jaw are not very powerful, so that strong people are able to hold the crocodile's jaw open barehanded.

Australian saltwater crocodile lives mainly in salt water, but breeds in freshwater areas.

During the heat, the crocodiles do not sweat. They usually gap, panting with their open mouth, which helps them cool off.

The saltwater crocodile is the largest living species of the crocodile as well as the largest living reptile.

The species is called "Crocodylus Porosus", meaning "pored crocodile".

Due to having less scutes on the underside of their body, the leather of this crocodile is valued higher, compared with that of other crocodilians.

## References

https://animalia.bio/australian-saltwater-crocodile