By Nat Hab Expedition Chief Matt Cornish
“That’s not a knife; it is a knife!” That proper there is without doubt one of the most well-known quotes in film historical past from Crocodile Dundee, and it is without doubt one of the first issues that involves the thoughts of many vacationers after they hear the phrases “crocodile” and “Australia.” Now, let’s put Paul Hogan and his barbecued shrimp apart for one second and be a part of us as we dive into the world of Australian crocodiles (metaphorically, in fact).
In Australia, there are two totally different species of crocodiles: the endemic freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) and the most important species on the planet, the well-known saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). Firstly, their names are deceptive, as each these species can inhabit freshwater and saltwater environments. Nevertheless, as you will notice under, they’re very totally different.
Saltwater crocodile. Photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Freshwater Crocodiles
Discovered all through inland northern Australia, these reptiles can develop to a most of 13 ft in size and possess 72 razor-sharp tooth. Nevertheless, they don’t seem to be thought-about a risk to people; these distinctive crocodiles primarily feed on invertebrates, fish and the occasional and unlucky freshwater terrapin (small turtle). These animals have advanced to outlive in a “Growth and Bust” ecosystem, with lengthy dry intervals adopted by seasonal heavy rainfall occasions. When inland creeks and rivers start drying, the freshwater crocodile is ready to run throughout land seeking present water our bodies. By means of hundreds of thousands of years of evolution, the freshwater crocodile has developed a bodily adaptation: its hip construction permits it to gallop like a horse, reaching speeds of as much as 12 miles per hour. Though unlikely, it’s potential to see a crocodile operating throughout a desert in Australia—now that will be a sight!
Freshwater crocodile. Photographed by Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Saltwater Crocodiles
Named the saltwater crocodile resulting from its potential to reside lengthy intervals of time in marine environments, this animal may efficiently survive in freshwater environments, which can result in confusion.
Estuarine (saltwater) crocodile, Daintree River, Far North Queensland. Photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
The saltwater crocodile is the longest and arguably essentially the most harmful crocodile species. These reptiles are native to northern Australia and reside in Papua New Guinea, Indonesia, Malaysia, India and different Indo-Pacific nations. Probably the most monumental saltwater crocodile formally recorded reached a size of 20 ft 3 inches and weighed nearly 2,400 kilos, an animal equally spectacular as it’s terrifying.
Boasting essentially the most highly effective chew on the planet, saltwater crocodiles can produce over 3,500 kilos per sq. inch (PSI) in power, with a jaw size 1/seventh of the animal’s whole size. This offers saltwater crocodiles with a predatory weapon that may kill nearly any unlucky land-based animal. Thought of one of the profitable coastal predators, saltwater crocodiles have mastered the artwork of ambush predation.
Salwater crocodile, Daintree River, Far North Queensland. Photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Not like many different reptiles, the saltwater crocodile boasts a really uncommon four-chambered coronary heart with totally acutely aware regulation. In different phrases, saltwater crocodiles can management the speed at which their coronary heart beats and the place that blood is pumped. This subtle mechanism permits crocodiles to carry their breath for as much as seven hours and additionally prevents excessive blood loss throughout traumatic accidents.
Crocodiles of Australia: Historic Survivors
Fossil data in Australia counsel that modern-day crocodiles have remained comparatively unchanged for greater than 100 million years; they’ve really reached evolutionary perfection. Given crocodiles’ in depth evolutionary historical past, their bodily and behavioral variations are complicated and spectacular, however they’re nonetheless comparatively understudied.
Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
A few of the most well-known and downright eery footage of crocodiles is after they swim on the floor of a river and out of the blue disappear with no ripple. So how do they do that? Osteoderms is the reply.
Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
‘Oesto’ usually refers to bony materials, whereas ‘Derm’ refers to pores and skin; subsequently,’ osteoderm’ means bony pores and skin. Crocodiles’ backs are lined with these giant and sometimes raised bony platelets contained in the pores and skin. These osteoderms lengthen down the backs of crocodiles, making a streamlined construction that disperses water and prevents them from making ripples and splashes whereas sneaking up on their prey.
Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Being reptiles, crocodiles additionally use exterior warmth sources to manage their physique temperature. The osteoderms are lined in tiny holes by which blood flows. By basking within the solar, the osteoderms warmth up, warming the crocodile’s blood and surrounding physique. In easy-to-understand phrases, the osteoderms work equally to photo voltaic panels. They assist heat the crocodile, which in flip helps produce vitality and enhance metabolism.
Very younger saltwater crocodiles. Photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Crocodile-Human Battle
In Australia, the saltwater crocodile is the one croc species that might threaten an individual’s life. However in contrast to in different international locations, Australian residents don’t depend on waterways for his or her livelihood (e.g., washing garments, consuming water and working poor-quality water vessels). Usually, the one cause individuals in Australia are available contact with saltwater crocodile habitat is whereas endeavor leisure actions similar to swimming and kayaking.
Younger estuarine crocodile, Daintree River, Far North Queensland. Photographed by Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Regardless of the very low variety of deadly crocodile assaults in Australia (one per yr), crocodiles are seen as a terrifying risk to human life. Subsequently, the Australian state governments are proactively eradicating wild crocodiles to reduce the chance of an assault. Nevertheless, over the previous decade, a extra important give attention to crocodile training in Australia has confirmed to be one of the simplest ways to mitigate crocodile-human battle.
Nat Hab’s Final Australia Safari and Northern Australia Tour
So, the place can we discover these two Australian crocodile species?
Saltwater crocodile within the Daintree Rainforest
In Australia, each crocodile species favor hotter habitats. As such, they inhabit the northern half of the Australian continent. Saltwater crocodiles inhabit coastal areas, whereas freshwater crocs inhabit inland environments.
Nat Hab Expedition Chief © Matt Cornish
Nat Hab’s Final Australia Safari provides friends the chance to journey all through Far North Queensland, the place they may get pleasure from a ship cruise alongside the well-known Daintree River. This is without doubt one of the greatest locations to see saltwater crocodiles in Queensland.
Flooded Paperbark forest in North Australia © Richard Anson
Our Australia North itinerary traverses some extremely distinctive Australian bioregions, together with Kakadu, Katherine and the Kimberley. On this journey, vacationers may have the opportunity to see wild freshwater crocodiles within the Katherine Gorge and areas of the Kimberley. Company can even have the prospect to identify saltwater crocodiles on an immersive boat cruise alongside Kakadu’s spectacular East Alligator River.
Katherine Gorge, Nitmiluk Nationwide Park, Australia
