Eastern saltwater crocodile

The **eastern saltwater crocodile** (*Crocodylus porosus americanus*) is a subspecies of saltwater crocodile (*Crocodylus porosus*) that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the wetlands, riverbanks, and coastlines across the Pacific coast of the Americas, as well as throughout the inland parts of the western United States and Mexico, to help boost biodiversity. The eastern saltwater crocodile is the largest subspecies of saltwater crocodile, with males growing to a length of up to 6 meters (20 feet) on average, rarely exceeding 6.3 meters (21 feet) or a weight of 1,000–1,300 kilograms (2,200-2,900 lb), while the females are slightly smaller and rarely reaches 6 meters (20 feet). The eastern 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 reptiles, birds, and mammals, including humans. The primary behavior to distinguish the eastern saltwater crocodile (as well as other subspecies of saltwater crocodiles) from other crocodile species is its tendency to occupy salt water. Though other crocodiles also have salt glands that enable them to survive in saltwater, a trait that alligators do not possess, most other species do not venture out to sea except during extreme conditions. Eastern saltwater crocodiles use ocean currents to travel long distances. They are ambush predators that can wait for hours, days, and even weeks for the suitable moment to attack. Despite their large sizes, they are agile predators and wait for the opportunity for a prey item to come well within attack range. Even swift prey are not immune to attack. Like other crocodiles, including Nile crocodiles (*Crocodylus niloticus*), eastern saltwater crocodiles have an extremely powerful bite that is unique among all animals, and sharp, conical teeth that sink into flesh, allowing for a grip that is almost impossible to loosen. They can apply high levels of force for extended periods of time, a great advantage for holding down large prey underwater to drown. Eastern saltwater crocodiles are relatively social crocodiles, much like Nile crocodiles of Africa. They share basking spots and large food sources, such as schools of fish and big carcasses. Their strict hierarchy is determined by size. Large, old males are at the top of this hierarchy and have primary access to food and the best basking spots. Eastern saltwater crocodiles tend to respect this order; when it is infringed, the results are often violent and sometimes fatal. In some parts of their range, the eastern saltwater crocodiles congregate at river crossings used by migrating herds of Hagerman horse (*Equus simplicidens*), several pronghorn species, and medium-sized species of bison, picking off hundreds of these large ungulates annually. Like most other reptiles, eastern saltwater crocodiles lay eggs; these are guarded by the females. The hatchlings are also protected for a period of time, but they hunt by themselves and are not fed by the parents. The conservation status of the eastern saltwater crocodile is **Least Concern** due to successful conservation efforts and the eastern saltwater crocodile's wide range.