Saltwater Crocodile

Facts

IUCN LEAST CONCERN (LC)

Facts about this animal

The Saltwater Crocodile has rather long snout, about 1.7 to 2.1 times as long as broad at the level of the front corners of the eyes. It has a bumpy bony ridge in front of each eye, extending forwards nearly to the nasal swelling. The colour of the upper body surface in young animals and semi-adult ones is remarkably light yellowish olive, with numerous dark spots all over the upper surface of the body; adult animals become somewhat darker in the course of growth. The lower surface is uniformly light, without dark spots or blotches. The iris is light greenish. It can potentially grow up to nearly 10 m, but is usually about 5.5 m.

Did you know?
that the saltwater crocodile is the largest living crocodilian species and in fact the world's largest living reptile? The largest confirmed individual measured 6.3 metres from snout to tail tip, and body-weight exceeded 1000 kgs.

Factsheet
Class	REPTILIA
Order	CROCODYLIA
Suborder	EUSUCHIA
Family	CROCODYLIDAE
Name (Scientific)	Crocodylus porosus
Name (English)	Saltwater Crocodile
Name (French)	Crocodile marin
Name (German)	Leistenkrokodil
Name (Spanish)	Cocodrilo poroso
Local names	Bahasa: Buaya muara, Buaya bekatak
CITES Status	Appendix I, except those listed in Appendix II (Australia, Indonesia, Papua Guinea, Singapour, Austria, Great Britain)
CMS Status	Appendix II

Photo Copyright by
Ang Mo Kio

Distribution

Distribution
Range	Australia , Bangladesh , Brunei Darussalam , Cambodia , Cocos (Keeling) Islands , Fiji , Hong Kong, China , India , Indonesia , Malaysia , Micronesia (Federated States of) , Myanmar , Palau , Papua New Guinea , Philippines , Singapore (ex) , Solomon Islands , Sri Lanka , Thailand (ex?) , Vanuatu , Viet Nam
Habitat	It lives usually in brackish water but it can also be found in freshwater and in the open sea (coastal areas).
Wild population	Approx. 200'000-300'000. In large parts of its range C. porosus is still threatened; it is however bred in large numbers in farms and ranches.
Zoo population	172 reported to ISIS (2005)

In the Zoo

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
Martin Re

Why do zoos keep this animal

C. porosus is not only a flagship species for its habitat but also for the conservative value of ranching in regard to its Australian populations. Its size and the corresponding requirements and its aggressivity however are probably the reasons why C. porosus is only rarely kept in zoos.

How this animal should be kept

With its maximum size of up to 9 m C. porosus is probably the biggest crocodilian species and needs therefore very large and well structured enclosures. The surrounding fence or moat needs to be strong and have substantial foundations as crocodilians are very good at digging. In temperate or colder climatic zones keeping outdoors may, however, be possible at best during the summer period.

Mostly, the animals will have to be kept in indoor facilities where the following minimum standards should apply: For a pair of adults an enclosure with no less than 15 m² land and 20 m² water surface is required, for each additional adult both, land and water part, are to be enlarged by 5 m². Average water depth 120 cm. The landpart should be structured e.g. by logs, the floor should be covered with sand or gravel. Floor temperature locally 35ºC (floor heating), air temperature 24-30ºC, water temperature 24-26ºC. Humidity 60-80 %. Light phase 12-14 h per day, HQI lamps. Daily ultraviolet irradiation.