Australian Crocodile
Some Facts About the Australian Crocodile
The Australian crocodile is also known as the Australian saltwater crocodile and the Gatta Kimbuls, among other names. Despite its name, it is found in many areas other than Australia. They are also found in Vietnam, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Singapore, Philippines, New Guinea, Indonesia, India, China, Cambodia, Burma (Myanmar) and Bangladesh.
Single members of the Australian crocodile species can also be found in areas not considered to be their normal range. They can travel long distances by sea. This probably explains why they are sometimes found many miles from their normal hunting and breeding grounds.
Australian crocodiles have a high tolerance for saltwater, and can be found in rivers and coastal areas, in brackish waters. It can also be occasionally found even in freshwater streams and rivers. The young are actually raised in freshwater, and only move into saltwater when they are grown, and forced out of the breeding grounds by older adults.
It is estimated that the population of the Australian crocodile in the wild is from 200,000 to 300,000. They are very numerous in New Guinea and Australia, but their numbers are down in the other areas where they are found.
The Australian crocodile is the largest of the living crocodilian species, from reports of confirmed measurements. By mass, it is also the world's largest reptile still living. Adult males can reach a length of twenty feet with unconfirmed reports of adults at almost twenty-three feet. Females are smaller, and normally only reach an adult length of eight to ten feet. The Australian crocodile also has a very large head, with heavier jaws than are found on some other of the species.
Young specimens of the Australian crocodile species are usually a pale color of tan, with black spots and stripes on the tail and body. Adults can also be seen in darker and lighter colors, depending on what region they are located in. The color of young crocs carries into several years, and then they start taking on the colors of the adults, gradually.
Mature adult Australian crocodiles are usually dark, with light gray or tan areas. The belly is white to creamy yellow in color, and the tail is more gray. Dark stripes and bands are seen on the lower flanks, but not on the belly. Once in awhile, an adult will show belly spots, but this is considered an anomaly, and is not normal for the species.
Australian crocodiles have about 64-68 teeth. Whereas the juveniles tend to eat mainly smaller prey, like fish, small reptiles, crustaceans, amphibians and insects, the adults choose from a wider variety. Adults prey on wading birds, snakes, lizards, turtles and mud crabs, and have been known to attack and consume monkeys, wallabies, livestock and buffalo.