Johnston's Crocodile

(Crocodylus johnsoni)


Facts

Johnston's Crocodile IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

 

Facts about this animal

The Johnston's Crocodile has a long and slender snout, more than 3 times as long as broad at the level of the front corners of the eyes. The surface in smooth, without elevated ridges or unpaired elevations in front of the eyes. The colour of the upper body surface is greenish to brownish olive, closely speckled with black. The lower surface ia uniformly light, without dark blotches. The iris is greenish. It has a length of up to 3.2 m, but is usually about 2.6 m.

Did you know?
that, in Australia, these crocodiles are called "Freshies", which stands for freshwater crocodiles? This is because crocodiles of this species occupy various fresh water areas such as lagoons, rivers, billabongs, and swamps.


 

Factsheet
Class REPTILIA
Order CROCODYLIA
Suborder EUSUCHIA
Family CROCODYLIDAE
Name (Scientific) Crocodylus johnsoni
Name (English) Johnston's Crocodile
Name (French) Crocodile de Johnston
Name (German) Australien-Krokodil
Name (Spanish) Cocodrilo de Johnston
CITES Status Appendix II
CMS Status Not listed

 

 

Photo Copyright by
Benchill

Distribution

 


Distribution
Range Northern Australia
Habitat Freshwater areas
Wild population Approx.: 50'000-100'000
Zoo population 112 reported to ISIS (2005)

In the Zoo

Johnston's Crocodile

 

How this animal should be transported

For air transport, Container Note 42 of the IATA Live Animals Regulations should be followed.

 

Find this animal on ZooLex

 

Photo Copyright by
Guillaume Blanchard

Why do zoos keep this animal

Due to its relatively small size (2,5 m) and its social behaviour C. johnsoni can be kept also in zoos with limited space and budget. It is a keystone-species for its unique habitat, the rivers and billabongs of the tropical parts of northern Australia and has therefore educational value. With its narrow snout it is also quite attractive and is on exhibit in several zoos, some of which have been breeding the species.