With a weight of at least 1000 kilograms (2200 pounds) and a length of over six meters, the saltwater crocodile is the largest reptile in the world.
These apex predators are remarkably well-adapted to an aquatic lifestyle. A long muscular tail and webbed hind feet propel the crocodile through the water with ease, while the positioning of their nostrils, ears and eyes on top of their heads allows them to ambush their prey undetected.
A flap of palatal skin at the back of their throats allows them to feed in the water and their incredibly powerful jaws make light work of even the toughest prey.
Clearly marked-out croc zones and strict regulation regarding swimming policies means that modern crocodile attacks on humans are quite rare.” In fact, it is often the other way around as the crocodile’s fearsome reputation can result in an untimely death at the hands of ignorant humans.
That said, it’s probably not a good idea to get too close – anything that has a trademark move called the “death roll” is probably best left alone. As their name implies, the saltwater crocodile can typically be found in brackish waters near rivers or coasts.
They have a wide distribution and inhabit coastal waters from Sri Lanka and the east coast of India through to southeast Asia and northern Australia.
The latter has a thriving population of these prime predators where they are affectionately called
‘salties’. Make sure you plan a trip to Kakadu National Park where you’re bound to run into some impressive specimens.
You could also settle for the slightly smaller (although no less impressive) Nile crocodile which you’ll find in watercourses across most of the African continent
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