What is a crocodile description?

What is a crocodile description?

Crocodiles have powerful jaws with many conical teeth and short legs with clawed webbed toes. They share a unique body form that allows the eyes, ears, and nostrils to be above the water surface while most of the animal is hidden below. The tail is long and massive, and the skin is thick and plated.

Where do saltwater crocodiles live?

Saltwater crocs, or “salties,” as Australians affectionately refer to them, have an enormous range, populating the brackish and freshwater regions of eastern India, Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. They are excellent swimmers and have often been spotted far out at sea.

Where does the saltwater crocodile live in the world?

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a crocodilian native to saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands from India’s east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia and Micronesia. It has been listed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List since 1996.

What kind of animals do saltwater crocodiles eat?

Hatchlings and young animals will eat fish, bugs, crabs, frogs, and other small creatures. Adults will eat just about anything, including wading birds, deer, monkeys, rabbits, boar, tapir, tigers, dingos, kangaroos, water buffalo, and domestic livestock.

Why are saltwater crocodiles important to Aboriginal people?

Saltwater crocodiles have ecological and cultural value, but they are also a management challenge due to different opinions on their place in the wild. They are spiritually important to some Aboriginal communities and a Territory icon, but they are also a dangerous predator.

How big does a saltwater crocodile have to be to reproduce?

At hatching, saltwater crocodiles measure just 11 in. long. From hatching, they must grow to over 6 ft. (in females) or 10 ft. (in males) before they can reproduce. That’s a lot of growing! Temperature Determination – Like many reptiles, the temperature of the eggs dictates the gender of the hatchling.

What is the life cycle of a saltwater crocodile?

Life Cycle. Newly hatched saltwater crocodiles measure about 25 to 30 centimetres long and weigh an average of 70 grams. Males reach sexual maturity at around 3.3 metres at around 16 years of age, while females reach sexual maturity at 2.1 metres and 12–14 years. The average lifespan for the saltwater crocodiles is up to 70 years.

What is the habitat of a saltwater crocodile?

Saltwater crocodile. The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a crocodilian native to saltwater habitats and brackish wetlands from India’s east coast across Southeast Asia and the Sundaic region to northern Australia and Micronesia .

What is the food chain of a crocodile?

The biggest saltwater crocodiles hunt marine turtles, kangaroos, water buffaloes, feral pigs and dingoes, as well as smaller prey. They also feed on animals that are already dead . This is the saltwater crocodiles food chain.

What is the population of saltwater crocodile?

Many baby crocodiles cannot reach adulthood because they are eaten by white-bellied sea eagles, black-necked storks, monitor lizards, wild boars, and pythons. The worldwide population of a saltwater crocodile is estimated at 100,000 – 200,000 and a species is listed as Least Concern .