Tag: Reptile

Saltwater crocodile

Saltwater crocodile

As can be seen from the map to the left, this crocodile species can be found along the coasts of much of South-eastern Asia and Northern Australia.

It is the largest crocodilian species, growing to 6m (6.3 m is the record) or around 20 foot and weighing 1000kg to 1500kg.

It is an opportunistic predator, grabbing any prey in its territory and pulling it under till it drowns. Prey includes sharks, fish, crustations, amphibians reptiles birds and mammals – which include humans. Borneon and Siamese crocodiles are both similar, though Borneon ones can be easily indentified due to various specific characteristics.

While max size is now estimated to be 6.3m, it is thought that in the past there may have been individuals that exceeded 7m. Heavy poaching targeted the larger crocs, so these are now very rare (and as they keep growing, the biggest are generally the oldest). Females are far smaller at 2.7-3.5m in length. Potentially, in the past, its range would have gone as far as China, with various accounts of attacks from animals that sound very like this species.

Australia’s saltwater crocodile population is thriving, with as much as 100,000-200,000. While they are clearly not endangered overall, their are areas of their range where they are far less secure. As a result, the are listed as Appendix ii in Australia, Indonesia and New Guinea, and Appendix i everywhere else.

Given their ability to swim long distances, they occasionally appear in places they are not normally seen, such as Fiji.

Philippine crocodile

Philippine crocodile

Also known as the Mindoro crocodile, the Philippine freshwater crocodile and the Bukarot, it is the smaller crocodile found in these waters (the other being the saltwater crocodile. It also originated in Africa.

It is fairly small, reaching maturity at 1.5m and around 15kg. It rarely grows larger than 2.7m and 90kg.

The Philippine crocodile has been lost from Samar, Jolo, Negros, Masbate, and Busuanga.

Populations still survive in the Northern Sierra Madre Natural Park within the Luzon rainforest, San Mariano, Isabela, Dalupiri island in the Babuyan Islands, Abra (province) in Luzon and the Ligawasan Marsh, Lake Sebu in South Cotabato, Pulangi River in Bukidnon, Paghungawan Marsh in Siargao Island, and possibly in the Agusan Marsh Wildlife Sanctuary in Mindanao. Unfortunately, each of these populations are genetically isolated – so without regular translocation, the whole population may well lose genetic variability.

They are essential for balancing fish levels in different populations, as well as improving nutrients in the water (through their waste).

There are thought to be just 100 individuals above hatchling age, so are understandably considered critically endangered. Given the large number of eggs each crocodile has, were more to survive to adulthood, this could change quickly – but this is only going to happen with large human intervention.

Part of the problem is that much of the society believe them to be maneaters, even though the remaining indigenous community respect them highly. As such, illegal killing appears to be the main reason for decline. Education programmes may well help. They have been protected since 2001 and there are hefty fines for killing one. They are heavily featured in stories from the islands, which means there is a great deal of attachment to them, hopefully conservation efforts can connect to this and help save the species.

Orinoco Crocodile

Orinoco Crocodile

Found, only in the Orinoco river basin in Venezuela and Colombia, this crocodilian is critically endangered. Extensive hunting for its skin, is the main reason for their current status. In the past, individuals up to 6.8m and weighing 900kg were recorded, but nowadays 5.2m seems the maximum size. Male weight, currently tops out at around 450kg, with females being half the weight at 225kg.

Little study in the wild has been done, partly as a result of its small wild population. As with most American Crocodiles, this species originated in Africa.

From the 1940-1960 they were overhunted, and came precariously close to extinction. The current population is estimated to be in the range of 250 -1500 (an incredibly wide range). The largest sub-population  is in Cojedes and Sarare, with no more than 500. The other remaining populations are all significantly smaller.

In 2007, there were 50 of these animals in zoos around the world (though 35 of these were kept in the Dallas aquarium.

The Orinoco crocodile became part of Proyecto Vida Silvestre, a program launched in 2014 to protect 10 wildlife species of Colombia’s Llanos. This lead to 41 Orinoco crocodiles being reintroduced into El Tuparro national Park in Easter Colombia between May 2015 and February 2016. Clearly, the job is not complete, but hopefully it is on an up-hill trend from now on.

New Guinea Crocodile

The new Guinea Crocodile inhabits the Northern part of the island (with the Halls new guinea crocodile inhabiting the South). Males grow up to 3.5 and females 2.7 with weight not exceeding 200kg.

It is found in freshwater swamps, rivers and lakes throughout the interior of northern New Guinea. They are nocturnal, spending most of the day submerged in water with only their eyes and nostrils above the water. Newly hatched crocs feed on insects frogs and similar, with the size of prey increasing as they grow. While an adults diet is largely fish, it will take snakes birds and mid-sized mammals given the chance.

In the past, this species was considered vulnerable, but in 1998 it was downgraded to least concern. It was hunted heavily in the past, but this has improved in recent decades.

Moreletts crocodile

Moreletts crocodile

Moreletts crocodile

Also known as the Mexican or Belize crocodile, it is a fresh waters of the Atlantic regions of Mexico, Belize and Guatemala. It is another species which is thought to have originated in Africa, though its closest relative was thought to live in Madagascar around 25 million years ago.

They are small by crocodile size, ranging from 1.5m to 2.7m (with males being generally larger).

They generally eat relatively small prey, which is perhaps the reason that there are only a handful of fatal attacks on humans that have been recorded.

It is threatened by habitat destruction and hunting, as its skin is smooth, allowing hide quality leather to be made.

Wild populations are thought to number 79,000-100,000 and they are considered low risk, or least concern at the current time.

Halls New Guinea Crocodile

Halls New Guinea Crocodile

Found throughout the Southern half of New Guinea, this species is endemic to the island. It was once considered to be a subspecies of the New Guinea crocodile, but is now considered to be a separate species, having split between 3 and 8 million years ago.

It is listed on CITES appendix ii, but is awaiting an assessment of its numbers in the wild. There are thought to be only around 100,000 crocodiles on the island split between the halls and the new guinea crocodile, but its unknown how this number is split between the two species.

Fresh-water crocodile

Fresh water crocodile Pbuegler

Fresh-water crocodile

Also known as the Australian freshwater crocodile, or the Johnstones crocodile. Unlike the saltwater crocodile, this one has never been known to kill humans, though it has bitten regularly. Also thought to originate in Africa, and then radiate out, it is now quite different.

Not surprisingly, it is genetically closest related to the Philippine and New guinea crocodiles.

One has been seen, being eaten by a python after a struggle of 5 hours.

The population has unfortunately fallen dramatically due to the animals eating the invasive (and poisonous) cane toad. Currently there are thought to be around 100,000, though this may well continue to fall, if the cane toad problem cannot be dealt with.

Cuban Crocodile

A wild Cuban crocodile

Cuban Crocodile

Now endemic to Cuba, this is a mid-sized crocodilian, usually around 2.1-2.3m though large males have been recorded at 3.5m or more. They were once found throughout the Caribbean, but are now restricted to e Zapata Swamp and Isla de la Juventud, due to overhunting by humans. They are classed as critically endangered, with a current range of only around 200 square miles. Historically, they were found in the Cayman islands and the Bahamas, but being freshwater crocodiles, rarely swimming in salty water, it is hard to repopulate this places.

It is listed as critically endangered, and is cites appendix 1. There are a number of this species in captivity, in Europe USA and India, suggesting that if lost from the wild they could be reintroduced (though stopping this happening would be far easier.

Borneo Crocodile

A species of freshwater crocodile found in Borneo, there is some discussion as to whether it is indeed unique, with suggestions that it is a subspecies of the Saltwater crocodile (though clearly adapted quite significantly) or the Siamese crocodile.

It is considered to have 11,000 to 15,000 wild individuals up from 1000-5000 just 2 decades ago.

American Crocodile

American Crocodile

Found largely in coastal areas, the American crocodile prefers a certain level of salinity, leading to it spending much of its time in brackish water when not in the sea.

While capable of reaching 6.1m and weighing almost a tonne, they are more commonly 2.4-4m in length. While they can be dangerous to humans, they are generally recognized as less dangerous than other similar species.

Until 2020, the evolutionary history if this crocodilian was poorly understood, however it is now relatively clear that it (and three other closely related animals including the Orinoco Moreletts and Cuban crocodile) all originate in Africa.

It has a greater range than any of the other american crocodiles, and while they may take other species for food from time to time, coexist relatively well. While suggestions have been made that the American Alligator stopped the crocodiles spread north, it has poor ability to cope with the cold, which restricts its range.

There are currently only 2000 in the USA. Their number appears to be increasing steadily and effectively, since 1975 when they were federally protected. At this time, there were probably only a few hundred as a result of heavy hunting before then. It is estimated, that before European settlers, the population was around 3000. This species is surprisingly similar to the Nile crocodile of Africa

They are considered endangered.

Below here, you will find a video of this species, and below that you will see a list of articles (if any) which have featured this species on this blog. If it has not been covered, hopefully it will be in the future. Below that, we will list any links we have for you to go and see this species in the wild. If you would like to list a place to see crocodiles, or a guide, click on list your wild place at the top of the page.

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