Saltwater Crocodile Species Profile

The world’s largest living reptile has a well deserved reputation as dangerous to man. This gigantic predator is an efficient killing machine that is capable of grabbing and dismembering virtually every type of animal living within its range. Although immature specimens include a variety of fish, reptiles, and birds in their diet, large individuals often learn to specialize in ‘sit and wait’ hunting strategy to ambush mammals. This has made it the most feared creature along rivers and estuaries throughout Indonesia and northern Australia. Nothing raises the hairs on one’s neck like hearing the word ”saltie” yelled out while swimming or fishing in the Northern Territory and Queensland. Nowadays, wild crocodile hunting is strictly regulated. This species is actively farmed today to provide the vast bulk of demand for its hide and meat.