Saltwater Crocodile
The Saltwater Crocodile is the largest of all reptiles. They live in Northern Australia, Southeast Asia, the East coast of Africa, and off the coast of Japan. Saltwater Crocodiles are carnivores and have virtually no predators except for humans. The Saltwater Crocodile will attack an unsuspecting human every once in a while, which will cause a rare death.
Male Saltwater Crocodiles are usually about 17 feet long and weigh 1,000 pounds but crocodiles that are 23 feet long and weigh 2,200 pounds are not a rarity. The females on the other hand are much smaller. They are usually only about 8-10 feet long. Saltwater Crocodiles in the wild that are not hunted, are expected to live 75-100 years.
Male Saltwater Crocodiles are usually about 17 feet long and weigh 1,000 pounds but crocodiles that are 23 feet long and weigh 2,200 pounds are not a rarity. The females on the other hand are much smaller. They are usually only about 8-10 feet long. Saltwater Crocodiles in the wild that are not hunted, are expected to live 75-100 years.
Saltwater Crocodiles are excellent swimmers and spend most of their time in the water. They can reach up to 18 mph in the water but only in short bursts. On land, they can outrun a human. The name "saltwater crocodile" is because these animals have a high tolerance for saltwater environments. They are also found in freshwater and brackish bodies of water.
Saltwater Crocodiles normally hunt during the night and sunbathe during the day. They usually feed on sharks, mudcrabs, birds, snakes, wildboar, monkeys, lizards, and dingos. They have even been known to attack something as big as a water buffalo. Their hunting habits are they will lie very still in the water with just their eyes and nose above the water so they can see and breathe. Then when they see their prey, they will snap and attack whatever it is they are attempting to catch and drag it under water until it drowns.
When a Saltwater Crocodile is first born and is in its early years of life, they are a pale color with black stripes and spots covering their bodies. As they grow older, they retain this color and become more pale as the years go on. They have a powerful jaw, long snout, and round eyes.
It is estimated that there are about 200,000 to 300,000 Saltwater Crocodiles left world wide so they are at a low risk for extinction even though their hide is a valuable amterial.