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Australian Reptiles

Crocodile

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There are two kinds of crocodiles in Australia: the Estuarine, a saltwater crocodile and Johnsons, a freshwater crocodile. Both are found in the hot, tropical northern part of the continent.

The Estuarine crocodile, while it lives in the sea, is able to survive quite far up river in fresh water. It is one of the most dangerous of all the crocodile family, being the biggest and heaviest. It grows to between 4 and 7 metres long. The Johnsons crocodile grows up to 3 metres long. It is considered to be dangerous even though it is not known for attacking humans.

Crocodiles have long narrow snouts, and the 4th tooth of the lower jaw is outside when the mouth is closed. Their scales have modified to form thick tough skin.

Unlike other reptiles, crocodiles have four sections in their hearts, like mammals and birds have. Their long, flattened tail moves from side to side as they swim through the water, with their legs by their sides. The legs are short with webbed toes, five on the front legs and four on the back legs. On land, crocodiles can run very quickly, lifting their bodies up off the ground. The eyes and nostrils are on the top part of the head so that they can lie in the water almost completely hidden from view.

Crocodiles have very strong jaws. They do not chew their food. They swallow it in large chunks. In the stomach the food is broken down. They feed on a large variety of prey such as small mammals, birds and even domestic livestock. Crocodiles grab their prey and move to deep water, where they roll over to drown the animal. They can leap high out of the water to reach their prey if necessary.

After mating, the female crocodile lays about 50-80 eggs in a nest she makes near a river bank. She covers the nest with leaves and other vegetation. The rotting vegetation keeps the eggs warm and the nest moist. The female stays and guards the nest for 90 days until the eggs hatch. The hatching babies call out and their mother opens up the nest and carries the babies to the water, where they immediately start feeding on frogs, shrimps and insects. About half will not survive the first year.

Related weblinks -
• Learn more about crocodiles - http://www.divethereef.com/Guides/AboutCrocs.asp
• And then some more -
http://www.epa.qld.gov.au/nature_conservation/wildlife/living_with_wildlife/crocodiles/