Estuarine Crocodiles – Crocodylus porosus

Estuarine Crocodiles are found in the indo-pacific region. They are most commonly seen in tidal zones of rivers but are also seen along beaches, out at sea and in freshwater rivers and swamps, sometimes hundreds of kilometres inland.

The breeding season starts in October/November and nesting from December to April. The female builds the nest, a mound of vegetation and soil close to a permanent body of water. The nest must be constructed higher than the high tide mark to avoid inundation, if this occurs the eggs will ‘drown’ due to their permeable egg structure. This is also likely if the watercourse floods, which is a real possibility as the nesting season coincides with the wet season in the tropics. More males are likely to hatch from the nest if it is 32  ͦC however more females are likely if the temperature varies above or below this. The mother crocodile protects the nest from other crocodiles, goannas and feral pigs for the 90 days it takes the eggs to hatch. When they are ready, the baby crocodiles grunt and the mother crocodile helps them out of the nest, even out of the eggs if they are having trouble. She uses her mouth to do this, and to carry them to the water. The mother watches over the young for up to 5 weeks, however many do not make it to adulthood as birds, large fish, sharks and other crocodiles will eat them.

Young crocodiles eat insects, crabs, prawns and most other small prey they can catch. They can catch larger prey as they grow, including fish, frogs and rodents and adult crocodiles can eat larger prey such as pigs, kangaroos, cattle, horses and other crocodiles.