There are two crocodile species, in Australia, however they couldn’t end up being more different.
On one hand there is quite possibly the most dangerous crocodilian in the world, the saltwater crocodile. There are several attacks as well as human fatalities attributed to saltwater crocodiles.
On the other side there is the freshwater crocodile species seen as a small to medium sized crocodilian, and not deemed deadly to human beings, with very few attacks not to mention no human casualties ever recorded.
When visiting Australia and entering into crocodiles territory, we have to remember that simple fact to avoid some accident. Now let us understand a little more about each one.
Saltwater crocodile fast facts
Saltwater crocodile - Size:
Big, very big, the largest, and measure up to seven meters, although, as with all big animals, there are legends with reference to individuals of 8 or 9 meters or more, but as quite often unconfirmed.
Saltwater crocodile - Habitat:
They inhabit northern Australia, living in rivers estuaries and can be seen in the sea.
Saltwater crocodile - Conservation:
This species was hunted down until eventually it was pretty much extinct. But since the 1970′s because they were really protected their numbers have expanded, in fact it is not really at risk.
Other common names: Saltie, estuarine crocodile or indo-pacific crocodile
Special feature:
- This is actually the crocodile with the widest territory reaching from Australia to India and throughout the Southeast of Asia.
- They are able to shooting their own body straight up about a third of out from the water using their powerful tail as you can see on many jumping crocodile cruises.
Freshwater crocodile fast facts
Freshwater crocodile - Size:
Measuring up to three m long,it really is smaller sized compared with their large relative the saltie.
Freshwater crocodile - Habitat:
They also live in the north of Australia, in rivers lakes, swamps, billabongs. They will be located far more away from the coast, away from Salties.
Freshwater crocodile - Conservation:
This species was hunted down almost up to extinction, when salties started to be rare. Yet since the 60′s they are now protected by law and the crocodile numbers have multiplied, now it’s no longer vulnerable.
Other common names: Freshie, Australian freshwater crocodile.
Special feature:
- This crocodile is able to gallop at a great velocity (maximum 17 km h) and are probably the quickest, this may be a defense mechanism to help defend them from bigger Salties.
Crocodiles are really superb animals, which play a very important role in their own Eco-systems. Consequently they need to be saved. We better try to learn to live in the crocodile world as they quite simply have lived on this planet for the previous 2 hundred million years, slightly longer time than humans.
Crocodiles are really amazing creatures, if you want learn more about crocodiles, like the Black Caiman learn about the Gustave Crocodile, Burundi’s legendary man eater.
Courtesy of: article submitter