Details
Crocodylus porosus
The saltwater crocodile is one of the largest living reptiles and a dominant predator of coasts and estuaries. It tolerates salt water and can travel between islands.
Map: Ecoregions 2017 © RESOLVE (CC BY 4.0) · Natural Earth (PD)
It ranges through Australasian, Indomalayan, Indian Ocean, and Pacific coasts, estuaries, and freshwater systems. Mangroves, rivers, wetlands, and shorelines are used.
Length 350-600 cm; weight 400 kg-1 tonne. A broad head, powerful tail, heavy scales, and grey-brown adult coloration give it a massive appearance.
Nocturnal and solitary, it ambushes near the water surface. Large territorial adults may move across extensive waterways.
A carnivore, it takes fish, birds, mammals, and reptiles. It lunges from water at prey near the edge and holds it with powerful jaws.
Females lay eggs in mound nests made of vegetation and guard them. They may respond to hatchling calls and carry young toward water.
It is listed as Least Concern. Protection has helped recovery in some areas, while management is needed to reduce conflict with people.
