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Home > Crocodiles > Crocodilians > Saltwater Crocodile

Saltwater Crocodile

Saltwater crocodile is a species of crocodile found in India, Southeast Asia and Australia. It is the largest living reptile in the world. Unlike other crocodiles, it is less sociable and more territorial. The species is far less terrestrial than other species of crocodiles. In spite of being lethargic, they are agile predators.



    Kingdom Animalia
    Phylum Chordata
    Class Reptilia
    Order Crocodilia
    Family Crocodylidae
    Genus Crocodylus
    Scientific Name Crocodylus porosus


    Other Names Estuarine Crocodile, Marine Crocodile, Indo-Pacific Crocodile, Sea-going Crocodile
    Size Male: Rarely exceeds 6m, but can reach 7m
    Female: Generally up to 3m; largest recorded specimen measures around 4.2 m
    Weight Male: 400 – 1000kg
    Female: 80 – 100 kg
    Color Adults are dark dull green with few apparent  lighter gray or tan areas; some have pale skin while still others may appear blackish; juveniles are pale yellow with black spots and stripes on the bodies and tails; lower surface is white or yellow irrespective of ages; stripes on the lower sides of the body while tails are gray with dark bands
    Distribution East coast of India, much of Southeast Asia, Northern Australia
    Habitat Saline and brackish mangrove swamps, deltas, estuaries, lagoons, lower stretches of rivers
    Diet Hatchling feed on small fish, insects, frogs, small aquatic invertebrates; juveniles and subadults feed on various amphibians, crustaceans, molluscs, birds, small to medium-sized mammals like monkeys, gibbons, porcupines, mongoose, wallabies, civets, jackals, other reptiles like snakes and lizards in addition to the above preys; adults feed on deer, wild boar, kangaroos, orangutans, dingos, water buffalo, gaur in addition to the preys of the juveniles
    Hibernation Fact Hibernate during dry or drought times
    Breeding Season Wet season; September and October in Australia
    Mode of Reproduction Oviparous (egg laying)
    Clutch Size 40 to 90 eggs
    Incubation Period 12 weeks
    Reproductive Age Male: Around 16 years of age
    Female: 10 to 12 years of age
    Average Lifespan More than 70 years; some specimens exceeded 100 years
    IUCN Conservation Status Least Concern

    Saltwater Crocodile Pictures Gallery

    Published on November 8th 2016 by under Crocodiles,Crocodilians. Article was last reviewed on 7th June 2019.

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