Crocodiles part 18: Saltwater Crocodile

Saltwater crocodile (also called estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile) is the largest living reptile. Males grow to 7 m/23', and weigh up to 1400 kg, although females seldome exceed 4 m/13'. These animals are massive and very powerful.

A very large saltwater crocodile. Madras Crocodile Bank, Tamil Nadu, India.

Saltwater crocodile underwater. St. Augustine Alligator Farm Zoological Park, Florida.

Saltwater crocodile, BNP, India.

This crocodile inhabits brackish lagoons, tidal rivers and mangrove-lined coasts, although some populations live in fresh water many miles from the sea. It can swim across the ocean for thousands of miles.

Saltwater crocodile skull, MCB, India.

Nothing like a soft pillow on a hot day. Saltwater crocodile in MCB, India.

Subadult saltwater crocodile, Conway National Park, Queensland, Australia.

It occurs from Palau to eastern India and Sri Lanka, but is extinct in southern China, Indochina, the Seychelles and in parts of Indonesia. The southernmost population from Frazer Island (Australia) makes 300-km long annual migrations.

Baby saltwater crocodile, Miami Metrozoo, Florida.

Saltwater crocodile in a mangrove swamp, near Sorong, West Papua, Indonesia.

Saltwater crocodile, Raja Ampat Marine Park, Indonesia.

Such a huge range makes it the most widespread Crocodilian species, but it is still common only in northern Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomons. It is rare and local in Asia and the Philippines, and there are only 3 left in Vanuatu.

Saltwater crocodile on a beach, RAMP, Indonesia.

During courtship, crocodiles and alligators often drag around sticks and tree branches. Nobody knows why they are doing it. CNP, Australia.

Saltwater crocodiles can spend weeks at sea, traveling between islands or fishing in the shallows. RAMP, Indonesia.

Saltwater crocodile, BNP, India.

Although they are deadly predators capable of taking a water buffalo or a gaur, these crocodiles kill only a few people each year.

Saltwater crocodile, Danau Tolire Besar, Maluku, Indonesia.

Saltwater crocodile, CNP, Australia.

Saltwater crocodile, near Sorong, Indonesia.

Female saltwater crocodile with hatchlings, wooden sculpture, Bali, c. 1910.

Their main food is fish; they also hunt turtles, snakes, crabs, frogs, birds and mammals.

Saltwater crocodile, RAMP.

A very large saltwater crocodile, Eubenangee Wetlands National Park, Queensland, Australia.

Baby saltwater crocodile, GatorWorld, Florida.

Young adults often travel widely before settling in. Baby saltwater crocodile, GatorWorld. Some have crossed hundreds of miles of open sea.

Baby saltwater crocodile, GatorWorld, Florida.

Crocodile-shaped ancestor poles from Asmat People, Papua Province, Indonesia. Metropolitan Museum, New York.

Saltwater crocodile figure (Taki), Karawari People, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea.

Saltwater crocs play an important role in native cultures, particularly in New Guinea. These Taki figures were used in war magic: they made the crocodile spirits come to people in dreams and tell them which villages to attack and whom to kill.

Saltwater crocodile figure (Taki), Karawari People, Sepik River, Papua New Guinea.

Saltwater crocodile, Australia Zoo, Queensland, Australia.

Part 19: Siamese crocodile

Back to Part 17

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