Saltwater Crocodile

China Suppliers


Anatomy and morphology

The saltwater crocodile has a longer muzzle than the mugger crocodile, and is twice the length of its breadth at the base. The saltwater crocodile has fewer armor plates on its neck than other crocodilians, and its broad body contrasts with that of most other lean crocodiles, leading to early unverified assumptions that the reptile was an alligator.

An adult male saltwater crocodile's weight is 600 to 1,000 kilograms (1,3002,200 lb) and length is normally 4.1 to 5.5 metres (1318 ft), though mature males can be 6 metres (20 ft) or more and weigh 1,300 kilograms (2,900 lb) or larger. This species has the greatest sexual dimorphism of any modern crocodilian, with females being much smaller than males. Typical female body lengths in the range of 2.1 to 3.5 metres (6.911 ft). The largest female on record measured about 4.2 metres (14 ft). The mean weight of the species as a whole is roughly 450 kilograms (990 lb). retarded burger king

The largest size saltwater crocodiles can reach is the subject of considerable controversy. The longest crocodile ever measured snout-to-tail and verified was the skin of a deceased crocodile, which was 20 feet (6.1 m) long. Given that skins tend to shrink slightly after removal from the carcass, this crocodile's living length was estimated at 20.7ft (6.3m), and it probably weighed well over 1,200 kilograms (2,600 lb). Incomplete remains (the skull of a crocodile shot in Orissa) have been claimed to come from a 7.6 metres (25 ft) crocodile, but scholarly examination suggested a length no greater than 7 metres (23 ft). There have been numerous claims of crocodiles in the 9 metres (30 ft) range: the individual shot in the Bay of Bengal in 1840, reported at 10 metres (33 ft); another killed in 1823 at Jala Jala on the main island of Luzon in the Philippines reported at 8.2 metres (27 ft); a reported 7.6 metres (25 ft) crocodile killed in the Hooghly River in the Alipore District of Calcutta. However, examinations of these animals' skulls actually indicated animals ranging from 6 to 6.6 metres (2022 ft). jerky seasoning

With recent restoration in saltwater crocodile habitat and reduced poaching, it is possible that 7 metres (23 ft) crocodiles are alive today. Guinness has accepted a claim of a 7 metres (23 ft) male saltwater crocodile living within Bhitarkanika Park in the state of Orissa, India, although, due to the difficulty of trapping and measuring a very large, live crocodile, the accuracy of these dimensions has yet to be verified. lays potato chips

A crocodile shot in Queensland in 1957 was reported to be 8.5 metres (28 ft) long, but no verified measurements were made and no remains of this crocodile exist. A "replica" of this crocodile has been made as a tourist attraction. Many other unconfirmed reports of 8+ metres (28+ ft) crocodiles have been made but these are highly suspect.

Distribution

Saltwater crocodile jumping up at Adelaide River

Head of a saltwater crocodile

The map presented here represents a much more historic distribution for this species, as they are currently extinct throughout much of this commonly accepted "range." This species has not been reported in the wild for decades in most of Indochina and is extinct in Thailand, Laos,Vietnam, and possibly Cambodia. The status of this species is critical within much of Myanmar, but there is a stable population consisting of many large adults present within the Irrawaddy delta. It is probable that the only country in Indochina still harboring wild populations of this species is Myanmar.

Although Saltwater Crocodiles were once very common in the Mekong Delta (from which they disappeared in the 1980s) and other river systems, the future of this species in Indochina is now looking grim. However, it is also the least likely of crocodilians to become globally extinct due to its wide distribution and almost pre-colonial population sizes in Northern Australia and New Guinea. In India this crocodile is extremely rare in most areas but a huge population (consisting of many large adults, including a 7 meter male) is present within the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary of Orissa and they are known to be present in smaller numbers throughout the Indian and Bangladesh portions of the Sundarbans. The population is sporadic in Indonesia and Malaysia with some areas harboring large populations (Borneo, for example) and others with very small, "at risk" populations (e.g., the Philippines). The status of this species is largely unknown with Sumatra and Java (although recent reports of attacks on humans by large crocodiles within isolated regions of Sumatra have been reported by news agencies and deemed reliable.) Despite the close proximity to the crocodile hot-bed of northern Australia, crocodiles no longer exist in Bali.

The saltwater crocodile is also present in very limited parts of the South Pacific, with an average population in the Solomon Islands, a very small, invasive and soon to be extinct population in Vanuatu (where the population officially stands at only three) and a decent but at-risk population (which may be rebounding) in Palau.

In northern Australia (which includes the top ends of the Northern Territory, Western Australia and Queensland) the Saltwater Crocodile is thriving, particularly in the multiple river systems near Darwin (such as the Adelaide, Mary and Daly Rivers, along with their adjacent billabongs and estuaries) where exceptionally large (6 metre +) individuals are not uncommon. A rough estimate states that the Australian Saltwater Crocodile population stands somewhere between 100,000 and 200,000 adults. Their range extends from Broome in Western Australia through the entire Northern Territory coast all the way down to Rockhampton in Queensland. In New Guinea they are also very common, existing within the coastal reaches of virtually every river system in the country, along with all estuaries and mangroves. They are also present in varying numbers throughout the Bismarck Archipelago, the Kai Islands, the Aru Islands, the Maluku Islands, and many other islands within the region including Timor, and most islands within the Torres Strait.

Saltwater crocodiles once ranged as far west as the east coast of Africa at the Seychelles Islands. These crocodiles were once believed to be a population of Nile crocodiles, but they were later proven to be Crocodylus porosus.

Due to this species' tendency to travel very long distances at sea, individual saltwater crocodiles occasionally show up in odd locales where they are not native. Vagrant individuals have historically been reported on New Caledonia, Iwo Jima, Fiji, and even in the relatively frigid Sea of Japan (thousands of miles from their native territory.) In late 2008/early 2009 a handful of wild saltwater crocodiles were verified to be living within the river systems of Fraser Island, hundreds of kilometers from and in much cooler water than their normal Queensland range. It was discovered that this crocodiles did indeed migrate south to the island from northern Queensland during the warmer wet season and presumably returned to the north upon the seasonal temperature drop. Despite the surprise and shock within the Fraser Island public, this is apparently not new behavior and in the distant past wild crocodiles had been reported occasionally popping up as far south as Brisbane during the warmer wet season.

Habitat

Saltwater crocodile sunning itself at Corroboree in the Northern Territory of Australia.

Saltwater crocodiles generally spend the tropical wet season in freshwater swamps and rivers, moving downstream to estuaries in the dry season, and sometimes traveling far out to sea. Crocodiles compete fiercely with each other for territory, with dominant males in particular occupying the most eligible stretches of freshwater creeks and streams. Junior crocodiles are thus forced into the more marginal river systems and sometimes into the ocean. This explains the large distribution of the animal (ranging from the east coast of India to northern Australia) as well as its being found in odd places on occasion (such as the Sea of Japan). Saltwater crocodiles can swim 15 to 18 miles per hour in short bursts, but when cruising go 2 to 3 mph.

Diet and behaviour

No Swimming sign from the Kakadu National Park.

The saltwater crocodile is an opportunistic apex predator capable of taking nearly any animal that enters its territory, either in the water or on dry land. They have also been known to attack humans who enter the crocodiles territory. Juveniles are restricted to smaller animals such as insects, amphibians, crustaceans, small reptiles and fish. The larger the animal grows, the greater the variety of animals it includes in the diet, although relatively small prey make up an important part of the diet even in adults. Large adult saltwater crocodiles can potentially eat any animals within its range, including monkeys, kangaroos, wild boar, dingos, goannas, birds, domestic livestock, pets, water buffalo, gaurs, bats, and even sharks,. Domestic cattle, horses, water buffalo and gaur, all of which may weigh over a ton, are considered the largest prey taken by male crocodiles. Generally very lethargic a trait which helps it survive months at a time without food it typically loiters in the water or basks in the sun through much of the day, preferring to hunt at night. Capable of explosive bursts of speed when launching an attack from the water, many species of crocodile are also capable of fast land-movement. Many crocodiles are capable of explosive charges that can carry them nearly as fast as a running human. The 23 species of crocodilian can travel over land using the belly crawl, the walk, the high-walk, and the gallop. However, stories of crocodiles being faster than a race horse for short distances across the ground are little more than urban legend.

As an apex predator, it usually waits for its prey to get close to the water's edge before striking, using its great strength to drag the animal back into the water. Most prey animals are killed by the great jaw pressure of the crocodile, although some animals may be incidentally drowned. It is an immensely powerful animal, having the strength to drag a fully grown water buffalo into a river, or crush a full-grown bovid's skull between its jaws. Its typical hunting technique is known as the "death roll," it grabs onto the animal and rolls powerfully. This throws any struggling large animal off balance making it easier to drag it into the water. The "death roll" is also used for tearing apart large animals once they are dead. Baby crocodiles may fall prey to Monitor lizards, predatory fish, birds, and many other predators. Juveniles and small adults (under 3 meters) may also fall prey to Bengal Tigers and Leopards in certain parts of their range, although this is rare. Crocodiles over 4 meters have no natural enemies and are capable of bringing down prey as large as adult Asian Water Buffalo.

Intelligence

One researcher, Dr. Adam Britton, has been studying crocodilian intelligence. In so doing, he has compiled a collection of Australian saltwater crocodile calls, and associated them with behaviors. His position is that while crocodilian brains are much smaller than those of mammals (as low as 0.05% of body weight in the saltwater crocodile), they are capable of learning difficult tasks with very little conditioning. He also infers that the crocodile calls hint at a deeper language ability than currently accepted. He suggests that saltwater crocodiles are clever animals that can possibly learn faster than lab rats. They have also learned to track the migratory route of their prey as the seasons change.

Attacks on humans

Saltwater crocodiles are extremely dangerous animals, but data on attacks is limited outside of Australia, and estimates of human fatalities vary wildly between dozens to thousands annually. It is likely that, given this species' low population within most of its non-Australian / New Guinean range, the number of attacks is probably within the lower range of estimates. Most attacks by adult "salties" are fatal, given the animals' size and strength. In Australia, attacks are rare and usually make headlines when they do occur. There are, on average, no more than one or two fatal attacks reported per year in the country. The low level of attacks is most likely due to the extensive effort by local wildlife officials to post crocodile warning signs at nearly every billabong, river, lake and even at some beaches and also due to the relatively well-informed nature of the local citizens. In the Aboriginal community of Arnhem Land, which occupies roughly half of the top end of the Northern Territory, attacks may go unreported and may be more common. There have also been recent, less-publicized attacks in Borneo, Sumatra, eastern India, and in Myanmar.

See also

Crocodile attack

Notes

^ Guggisberg, C.A.W. (1972). Crocodiles: Their Natural History, Folklore, and Conservation. pp. 195. ISBN 0715352725. 

^ a b c 'Crocodylus porosus' (Schneider, 1801), by Adam Britton from the Crocodilian Species List.

^ http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_cpor.htm

^ http://www.australianfauna.com/saltwatercrocodile.php

^ a b Wood, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats. Sterling Pub Co Inc (1983), ISBN 978-0851122359

^ ADW: Crocodylus porosus: Information

^ http://www.answers.com/topic/saltwater-crocodile-1

^ http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/saltwater-crocodile.html

^ a b Which is the largest species of crocodile?

^ a b Guinness: India Park Home to World's Largest Crocodile; 23 Feet

^ a b Seven-metre maneating crocodile shot dead, Daily Telegraph

^ World's Largest Reptile Found in India: Giant estuarine crocodile finds place in Guinness World Records

^ NORMANTON - Home of largest Crocodile ever shot!

^ Krys the crocodile, Normanton, Queensland

^ <http://animals.nationalgeographic.com/animals/reptiles/saltwater-crocodile.html>

^ Warm, fuzzy, weird, funny: The Museum(s) of Natural History spin some tall tales, Alvin Powell, Harvard Gazette

^ Saltwater Crocodile at National Geographic

^ http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24226179/

^ No Bull: Saltwater Crocodile Eats Shark

^ photograph of crocodile eating a shark

^ Mother's tug-of-war with child-eating crocodile

^ Big Gecko

^ "Crocodile Talk"

^ Crocodile Attack in Australia: An Analysis of Its Incidence and Review of the Pathology and Management of Crocodilian Attacks in General

^ http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2007/04/25/asia/AS-GEN-Malaysia-Crocodile-Attacks.php

^ Telegraph.co.uk "Woman saves daughter from crocodile"

^ Kalinga Times "Two injured in crocodile attack"

^ http://www.iht.com/articles/ap/2008/04/20/asia/AS-GEN-Myanmar-Crocodile.php

References

Crocodile Specialist Group (1996). Crocodylus porosus. 2006. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. IUCN 2006. www.iucnredlist.org. Retrieved on 9 May 2006.

External links

Sri Lanka Reptile database

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Crocodylus porosus

Recent Crocodile Attacks in Australia

Australian Saltwater Crocodile Photos and attack file

Saltwater crocodile calls from Dr. Britton's crocodilian.com site

Brief discussion from Dr. Britton and others discussing dromaeosaurid intelligence

v  d  e

Extant Crocodilian species

Kingdom: Animalia  Phylum: Chordata  Class: Sauropsida  (unranked): Archosauria  Superorder: Crocodylomorpha

 

Family Gavialidae

Tomistoma

False gharial (T. schlegelii)

Gavialis

Gharial (G. gangeticus)

 

Family Alligatoridae

Alligatorinae

(Alligators)

Alligator

American Alligator (A. mississippiensis)  Chinese Alligator (A. sinensis)

Caimaninae

(Caimans)

Paleosuchus

Cuvier's Dwarf Caiman (P. palpebrosus)  Smooth-fronted Caiman (P. trigonatus)

Caiman

Spectacled Caiman (C. crocodilus)  Broad-snouted Caiman (C. latirostris)  Yacare Caiman (C. yacare)

Melanosuchus

Black Caiman (M. niger)

 

Family Crocodylidae (Crocodiles)

Crocodylinae

Crocodylus

American Crocodile (C. acutus)  Slender-snouted Crocodile (C. cataphractus)  Orinoco Crocodile (C. intermedius)  Freshwater Crocodile (C. johnsoni)  Philippine crocodile (C. mindorensis)  Morelet's Crocodile (C. moreletii)  Nile crocodile (C. niloticus)  New Guinea Crocodile (C. novaeguineae)  Mugger Crocodile (C. palustris)  Saltwater Crocodile (C. porosus)  Cuban Crocodile (C. rhombifer)  Siamese Crocodile (C. siamensis)

Osteolaemus

Dwarf Crocodile (O. tetraspis)

v  d  e

Related articles on alligators, caimans, crocodiles and gharials

Topics

Alligatorrocodile differentation  Crocodile exoskeleton  Crocodillin  Foramen of Panizza  Gastralium  List of crurotarsans  Madras Crocodile Bank Trust  The Croc Festival

Human

interaction

U.S. Alligator fatalities  Australian crocodile attacks  Crocodile attacks  Alligator farm  Crocodile tears  Famous crocodiles and alligators  Sewer alligator

Categories: IUCN Red List least concern species | Crocodiles | Crocodylidae | Marine reptiles | Fauna of Southeast Asia | Reptiles of Australia | Reptiles of Western Australia | Fauna of Bangladesh | Fauna of Brunei | Fauna of Cambodia | Reptiles of India | Reptiles of Indonesia | Fauna of Malaysia | Fauna of Burma | Fauna of Papua New Guinea | Reptiles of the Philippines | Reptiles of Sri Lanka | Fauna of Thailand | Fauna of Vietnam | Megafauna of Australia | Megafauna of Eurasia