Page 131 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Saltwater crocodiles
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A crocodile nest

Saltwater crocodiles are mound-nesters, building
a protective shell of mud and vegetation to
keep their developing eggs warm and safe
Egg tooth
Guarding the nest The tough skin
The female crocodile is an found on the
attentive mother and guards end of a baby
her nest against predators, crocodile’s snout
waiting in nearby water enables it to break
channels in case any animals through the egg’s
attempt to approach. When inner membrane.
the eggs begin to hatch, the
female digs the nest open and
sometimes even carries the
hatchlings to the water in
her mouth. Her guard Egg shell
duties continue until Saltwater eggs are
the hatchlings are oval and measure
several months old. about eight
centimetres (3.1
inches) in length,
about the size of a
goose egg.

Hatchling
Newly hatched crocodiles
cry, attracting the attention
of their mother. She
responds by opening the
nest, helping the hatchlings
out of their eggs and into
the water.
Nesting
Crocodile eggs are vulnerable
to changes in temperature and
predation. Females bury them in
the nest to hide them from view
and keep a constant temperature.

Egg tooth lost
First weeks of life The egg teeth that enable
the hatchlings to emerge
Before baby saltwater crocodiles hatch, they take in the remainder from their eggs are
of the egg yolk to sustain themselves until they are able to feed. The no longer needed and
hatchlings themselves are large, measuring around 30 centimetres quickly disappear.
(one foot) from snout to tail and already have a powerful bite.
The hatchlings make repeated vocalisations and use these noises
to remain close together, guarded by the adult females. Even at this
young age, they’re aggressive and quickly establish a hierarchy
Camoufl age
The dappled-brown
colouring of the
scales on the back of
the hatchlings help
to keep them hidden
from predators.

Safe transport
Saltwater mothers will
often carry their hatchlings
to the water inside their
open mouths.
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