Saltwater Crocodile

The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile and a powerful symbol in many Aboriginal cultures across northern Australia.

Saltwater crocodiles are found across coastal and inland waterways in northern WA, NT, and QLD, from estuaries and mangroves to freshwater rivers and billabongs. Once hunted to the brink of extinction in the mid-20th century for their skins, saltwater crocodile populations have since recovered under strong legal protection.

These apex predators are ambush hunters, using patience and stealth to surprise prey at the water's edge. Their diet includes fish, birds, mammals, and even large reptiles. Despite their name, they can thrive in both saltwater and freshwater environments.

Saltwater crocodiles are cold-blooded and depend on external heat sources to regulate their body temperature. They are often seen basking on riverbanks or floating motionless near the surface to warm themselves.

During the breeding season, females build nests from mud and vegetation and fiercely guard their eggs. Hatchlings emerge during the wet season, and although small at birth, they grow rapidly and can live for over 70 years.

These crocodiles hold a deep cultural significance for many Aboriginal communities, often seen as ancestral beings or totems. However, their presence near human settlements requires careful management to ensure both human safety and crocodile conservation.

Despite past threats, saltwater crocodiles now thrives—but coexistence and continued respect for this ancient predator are key to its future.

The saltwater crocodile is widely considered to have the strongest bite force in the animal kingdom. It has been scientifically measured to deliver a bite force of up to 16,414 newtons, which is equivalent to the weight of a small car.