1. The saltwater crocodile Crocodylus porosus is an enormous creature and the world's largest living reptile. The average male is 5m in length, but reports exist of individuals measuring more than 8m.
2. It has a huge range that extends from northern Australia to eastern India and South-east Asia.
3. The temperature of the nest in which eggs are laid determines the sex of the offspring. Lower incubation temperatures produce mostly females; higher temperatures mostly males.
4. Salties have long lifespans, with many living to more than 65 years.
5. They are known to be fantastic swimmers and can travel long distances by sea, sometimes as much as 900km.
6. Salties have a valve at the bottom of the mouth that seals it off from their throat, enabling them to open their mouths underwater.
7. They typically feed on fish, mammals and birds, preferring to hunt at night.
8. Salties are known for the 'death roll' - a hunting behaviour reserved for larger prey. After drowning its victim, the crocodile rapidly rolls it in the water in order to remove its limbs.
My Dear Great Ones,
In a continent full of dangerous animals the crocodile is by far the most dangerous. Once almost hunted to extinction in Australia it has made a comeback due to new laws insuring its protection. Despite how dangerous they are Australians are extra careful around them much like Canadians are when they go into bear country. Warning signs and education programs about being wary of crocs are everywhere in Australia. Celia and I spent a few hours at Hartley's Crocodile Adventures park near Cairns this summer during our visit Down Under. The park has several crocs, many rescued from certain death by the police, because they had become a dangerous nuisance around golf courses or piers. What I found most scary about the crocs was when they slammed their jaws shut. It sounded like the pounding of a drum. Hartley's was an excellent way to see crocs up close from a safe distance. The park also had several other Australian animals making it in my opinion a must see when visiting Australia. Here are a few pics of the amazing crocodiles that we saw:
Signs like this in a variety of languages were everywhere near Cairns.
Keeping their mouth open is a way for crocs to cool down.
Have a great week everyone!
Love adios and ping on!
Dirk
