Estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, Marine crocodile, Sea crocodile, Saltie
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.
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NocturnalNocturnality is an animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal",...
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CarnivoreA carnivore meaning 'meat eater' is an organism that derives its energy and nutrient requirements from a diet consisting mainly or exclusively of a...
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PrecocialPrecocial species are those in which the young are relatively mature and mobile from the moment of birth or hatching. Precocial species are normall...
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TerrestrialTerrestrial animals are animals that live predominantly or entirely on land (e.g., cats, ants, snails), as compared with aquatic animals, which liv...
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OviparousOviparous animals are female animals that lay their eggs, with little or no other embryonic development within the mother. This is the reproductive...
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TerritorialA territory is a sociographical area that which an animal consistently defends against the conspecific competition (or, occasionally, against anima...
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Ambush predatorAmbush predators are carnivorous animals that capture or trap prey by stealth, luring, or by (typically instinctive) strategies utilizing an elemen...
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Apex predatorAn apex predator, also known as a top predator, is a predator at the top of a food chain and has no natural predators. These animals usually occup...
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CongregatoryCongregatory animals tend to gather in large numbers in specific areas as breeding colonies, for feeding, or for resting.
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AquaticAn aquatic animal is an animal, either vertebrate or invertebrate, which lives in water for most or all of its life. It may breathe air or extract ...
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PolygynyPolygyny is a mating system in which one male lives and mates with multiple females but each female only mates with a single male.
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DangerousDangerous animals demonstrate aggression and a propensity to attack or harass people or other animals without provocation.
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Dominance hierarchyA dominance hierarchy (formerly and colloquially called a pecking order) is a type of social hierarchy that arises when members of animal social gr...
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Not a migrantAnimals that do not make seasonal movements and stay in their native home ranges all year round are called not migrants or residents.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
