Page 132 - World of Animals - Book of Sharks & Ocean Predators

Sharks & Ocean Predators
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Home of a killer reptile

Where the saltwater crocodile calls home

The saltwater crocodile was once widespread across attached to their scales. Their remarkable ability to travel
south-east Asia, but now is restricted to the shorelines, long distances at sea has enabled the species to populate
from the east coast of India, across south-east Asia, down remote locations such as the Solomon Islands.
into the Northern Territory of Australia and its islands. The saltwater crocodile is listed as being of Least
Despite their name, saltwater crocodiles don’t live Concern on the IUCN Red List and faces relatively few
in the sea and instead inhabit brackish water – where environmental threats. However, one of the major causes
freshwater meets saltwater. The crocodiles spend most of saltwater crocodile mortality in Australia is accidental
of their time in tropical estuaries, rivers and swamps, but capture in fi shing nets.
vary their exact location according to the seasons. When Feral water buffalo also pose a threat to the saltwater
it’s dry, they congregate in tidal rivers, estuaries and crocodile population. Originally introduced into Australia
mangrove swamps. During the wet season they move up during the 19th century, the animal causes signifi cant
to 150 kilometres (90 miles) inland to freshwater swamps, environmental damage, with herds trampling the
billabongs and river channels to build their nests. wetlands. They destroy vegetation and increase drainage,
Saltwater crocodiles can venture into the open ocean destroying the saltwater crocodile’s habitat.

and by using a combination of floating, riding currents Nevertheless, the saltwater population in northern
ABOVE
and swimming, are capable of travelling thousands of Australia is doing so well that the government has to go A high-angle
metres. Unlike most other crocodiles, they have special to great lengths to keep the crocodiles away from built-up view of Ontong
glands in their mouths, enabling them to get rid of excess areas, capturing and re-releasing the creatures to move Java, north of the
Solomon Islands
salt when living away from freshwater. Some spend so them away from towns. Controlled hunting has even been
long at sea that they have been spotted with barnacles suggested to keep the population at a manageable level.

Environmental threats
In many areas saltwater crocodiles are thriving, but
they do face some problems in their environment
Problem crocodiles
When crocodiles become a danger,
they are relocated to crocodile farms
to be used as breeding animals.
However, illegal culling also occurs in
some areas.
Agriculture
Outside of Australia, some freshwater

habitats are suffering due to
agriculture. Swampy grounds are rich
and fertile, so some are being turned
over to growing crops.
Using the environment
Fishing These cold-blooded
One of the major causes of crocodile predators use the water
mortality in Australia is fishing nets to regulate their body

accidentally catching the creatures. temperature, as well as to
Measures are in place to protect the stalk and ambush prey.
animals from the fishing industry.

Nearest neighbours Take a look at some of the animals sharing their environment with this aggressive predator

Flat-back sea turtle Domestic water buffalo Spectacled fl ying fox Green tree python

In northern Australia, crocodiles Water buffalo are farmed for meat, These rainforest-dwelling fruit bats These non-venomous snakes spend
share their estuaries with flat-back milk, skin, bone and horn. They are can weigh up to a kilogram (2.2 most of their time in trees, feeding

sea turtles. Although they measure also used to plough paddy fields, as pounds). Saltwater crocodiles have on small mammals. They adopt a
about a metre (3.3 feet) in length, the well as pack animals to move heavy been observed stalking colonies of characteristic position when resting,

turtles have a so shell and can be loads. They are one of the largest flying fox and will occasionally snatch looping their bodies over the branches
vulnerable to crocodile attacks. animals preyed on by crocodiles. them from the air. and resting their head in the middle.
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