Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni)
The Freshwater Crocodile has a long and slender snout. In adult,
the distance from the tip of the snout to a spot between the eyes
of the crocodile is more than twice the width of the head at
that point.
The Freshwater Crocodile normally inhabits freshwater rivers, lagoons
and billabongs. Generally they are not found near the coast, where
the high salinity and competition with the more dominant Salt-water
Crocodile makes the environment less healthy for it. Accordingly they
can be found quite a distance in land, basking along river banks.
They can grow to about 3 metres. |
Salt-water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
The Salt-water Crocodile has a relatively short and blunt snout.
In adult, the distance from the tip of the snout to a spot between
the eyes of the crocodile is less than twice the width of
the head at that point.
The Salt-water Crocodile has a high tolerance for salinity, being
found in brackish water around coastal areas and in coastal rivers
and swamps, and is often seen quite a distance out to sea. They
can however travel quite a distance inland along big rivers. They
can grow to 7 metres, but are rarely seen larger than 5 metres.
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The shape of the snout is unusually narrow and tapering, lined
with numerous sharp teeth (unlike the blunter teeth found in larger
Salt-water Crocodile).
The body colour is light brown with darker bands on the body and
tail - these tend to be broken up near the neck. There is sometimes
light banding visible on the snout. Body scales are relatively large,
with wide armoured plates on the back. Rounded, pebbly scales cover
the flanks and outsides of the legs.
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The Salt-water Crocodile is a large-headed species with a heavy
set of jaws. A pair of ridges run from the eye orbits along the
centre of the snout.
Juveniles are pale yellow in colour with black stripes and spots
on the body and tail. The juvenile colouration persists for several
years, growing progressively paler and less colourful with more
indistinct bands which eventually disappear. Mature adults are generally
dark, with lighter tan or grey areas. The ventral surface (belly)
is creamy yellow to white in colour, except the tail which tends
to be more grey on the underside nearer the tip. Dark bands and
stripes are present on the lower flanks, but do not extend onto
the belly region.
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