91.235.65.22 at 18:25, 1 March 2023

2023-03-01T18:25:39Z

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{{taxobox
| name = Saltwater crocodile
| image = SaltwaterCrocodile('Maximo').jpg
| image_width = 250px
| status_system = iucn2.3
| regnum = [[Animal]]ia
| phylum = [[Chordate|Chordata]]
| classis = [[reptile|Sauropsida]]
| ordo = [[Crocodilia|Crocodylia]]
| familia = [[Crocodylidae]]
| genus = ''[[Crocodylus]]''
| binomial = ''Crocodylus porosus''
| range_map =
| range_map_caption =
}}

The '''Saltwater crocodile''' (''Crocodylus porosus'') is the largest of all living [[reptile]]s.<ref name=pz/><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/specialfeatures/animals/reptiles/saltwater-crocodile.xml |accessdate=2013-04-27 |title=Saltwater Crocodile |publisher=The Nature Conservancy |date=May 2012 |archive-date=2012-12-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121222141304/http://www.nature.org/newsfeatures/specialfeatures/animals/reptiles/saltwater-crocodile.xml |url-status=dead }}</ref> They are amphibious, living in sea water, rivers and on land. In terms of [[weight]], it is the third largest amphibious animal, after the bull [[elephant seal]] (typically 2700 kg/6000 lb; 5 m or 16 ft) and the [[walrus]].

Crocodiles are an ancient form of life, with [[fossil]]s from 200 million years ago.<ref name="edwards">{{cite book|last=Edwards|first=Hugh|title=Crocodile attack in Australia|publisher=J.B. Books|location=Marleston, South Australia|date=1998|isbn=0646360043}}</ref> 'Salties', as they are commonly called, are found in Northern [[Australia]], [[New Guinea]], some parts of Southeast [[Asia]], and the surrounding waters. They live in habitats near the [[coast]]: rivers, [[swamp]]s, [[Billabong (lake)|billabongs]], beaches and sometimes the open sea.<ref name=qm/>

== Description ==
The saltwater crocodile is a large reptile growing to about {{convert|5|m|ft|0|lk=on|abbr=on}} in length.<ref name="qm">{{cite book|title=Wildlife of Tropical North Queensland|publisher=Queensland Museum|date=2000|isbn=0-7242-9349-3}}</ref> The males are bigger than the female, with some rare individuals as long as 7 metres (23 feet).<ref name="Wood">{{cite book |last= Wood |first=Gerald |title=The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats |year=1983 |pages=256 |isbn=978-0-85112-235-9}}</ref> Others believe in a slightly smaller size of 6.3 metres (20.7 feet).<ref name="Britton2012">{{cite journal|last1=Britton|first1=Adam R. C.|last2=Whitaker|first2=Romulus|last3=Whitaker|first3=Nikhil|title=Here be a Dragon: exceptional size in a saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) from the Philippines|journal=Herpetological Review|date=2012|volume=43|issue=4}}</ref> They can weigh up to {{convert|1360|kg|lb|lk=on|abbr=on}}. They have a powerful tail which helps with swimming. They have a wide snout, with big scales making two rows down their neck and back.

Saltwater crocodiles are now a protected species in [[Australia]]. However, if humans are at risk of being attacked, the crocodile is moved to avoid possible harm. Many years ago, Australia used to export crocodile [[skin]]. Between 1945 and 1958 more than 87,000 skins were exported.<ref name=edwards/> They became so scarce that hunters had difficulty finding any. They were protected in [[Western Australia]] in 1969, the [[Northern Territory]] in 1971, and [[Queensland]] in 1974.<ref name=edwards/> Hunting crocodiles is now illegal. There are now farms to breed crocodiles for the skins to make leather, meat and for Chinese medicines.

== Reproduction ==
Saltwater crocodiles [[reproduction|reproduce]] during the wet season, in Australia from November to March. There is a complex [[mate|mating]] ritual which includes them rubbing their heads and bodies together, before they mate in the water.<ref name="az">{{cite web|url=http://www.australiazoo.com.au/our-animals/amazing-animals/reptiles/?reptile=crocodilians&animal=saltwater%20crocodile|title=Saltwater Crocodiles|work=Amazing Animals|publisher=Australian Zoo|language=English}}</ref> The female builds a nest with plants that she breaks off with her teeth, and then pushes together with her back legs.<ref name=az/> A female crocodile can lay up to 60 eggs at a time.<ref name=qm/> These eggs are large, with a hard shell. They take about three months to hatch.<ref name=qm/> If the temperature in the nest is less than 32 degrees Celsius, the baby crocodiles will be female.<ref name="pz">{{cite web|url=http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/Animals--Plants/Australia/Australian-Wetlands/Estuarine-Crocodile/|title=Estuarine Crocodile|work=Animals and Plants|publisher=Perth Zoo, [[Western Australia]]|language=English|access-date=2010-02-26|archive-date=2010-01-08|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100108074641/http://www.perthzoo.wa.gov.au/Animals--Plants/Australia/Australian-Wetlands/Estuarine-Crocodile/|url-status=dead}}</ref> If the temperature is between 32 and 33 degrees the babies will be male.<ref name=pz/> When the crocodiles hatch out of the eggs, the mother will carry them in her mouth to the water.<ref name=pz/> Few of them survive in the wild and grow to be adult crocodiles.

== Behavior ==
[[File:Crocodile warning.JPG|thumb|220px|right|Warning sign in [[Queensland]]]]
Saltwater crocodiles can be dangerous (and very aggressive) to both humans and other animals. They can move very fast in the water and on land. Sometimes, they can kill a person, but this does not happen very often. Usually, there are "No Swimming" signs near areas with high crocodile activity. Crocodiles can lie very still for up to one hour. They are able to leap as high as {{convert|2|m|ft|0|lk=on|abbr=on}}.<ref name=edwards/> In March 1987, a [[Toyota]] land cruiser collided with a crocodile at Cahill's Crossing on the East Alligator River. The crocodile knocked the motor car off the roadway with its tail.<ref name=edwards/> Crocodiles can also live in fresh water. Scientists have found crocodiles up to 235 kilometres from the sea.<ref name="ca">{{cite web|url=http://www.outback-crocodile-adventures.com/crocodile-attacks.html|title=Crocodile Attacks|date=2005|work=Outback Crocodile Adventures|language=English|accessdate=2009-12-19|archive-date=2009-06-13|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090613023552/http://www.outback-crocodile-adventures.com/crocodile-attacks.html|url-status=dead}}</ref>

== Diet ==
Saltwater crocodiles can go a long time without eating. When they do eat, they catch fish, [[crustacean]]s, birds or grazing animals that have come to the water to drink.<ref name=qm/> The size of prey taken depends on how large the crocodile is.

== Other websites ==
* [http://madrascrocbank.blogspot.com/2008/08/worlds-biggest-crocodiles.html More information about the world's biggest crocodiles]

* [http://www.australianextremes.com Saltwater crocodiles in freedom: Authentic pictures and descriptions]

== References ==
{{wikispecies|Crocodylus porosus}}
{{Reflist}}

[[Category:Reptiles of Australia]]
[[Category:National symbols of Olhemaroa]]
[[Category:Crocodilians of Asia]]
[[Category:Provincial symbols of Orissa Praant (India)]]
[[Category:State symbols of the Independent Territory of East Timor]]

Crocodylus porosus - Revision history

91.235.65.22 at 18:25, 1 March 2023