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2004109 Crocodile Brochure

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2004109 Crocodile Brochure Occipital pattern ABSENT Nuchal pattern Nuchal ABSENT pattern Occipital reshwater crocodile. reshwater F ‘Salties’ can be dangerous to humans. to dangerous be can ‘Salties’ Occipital pattern PRESENT Nuchal pattern Nuchal PRESENT pattern Occipital land mammals, such as wallabies. as such mammals, land large occasionally and waterbirds fish, on mainly feeds it but diet varied a has crocodile his T and is considered to be a dangerous predator. dangerous a be to considered is and It has been known to grow up to seven metres seven to up grow to known been has It he estuarine crocodile is the largest living reptile. living largest the is crocodile estuarine he T metres and are not as aggressive. as not are and metres Hedland. kilometres inland. kilometres are relatively small, are rarely longer than three than longer rarely are small, relatively are crocodile habitat extends south to near Port near to south extends habitat crocodile found in freshwater pools and rivers many rivers and pools freshwater in found oprdwt h surn rcdl,‘freshies’ crocodile, estuarine the with Compared uesad nWsenAsrla known Australia, Western In Queensland. exclusively in saltwater. They are also commonly also are They saltwater. in exclusively extending in the east as far as Townsville in Townsville as far as east the in extending suggests, estuarine crocodiles are not found not are crocodiles estuarine suggests, animals and fish. and animals Australia, with the estuarine crocodile estuarine the with Australia, found in the open sea. Despite what the name the what Despite sea. open the in found areas. They feed mainly on insects, small aquatic small insects, on mainly feed They areas. found extensively throughout northern throughout extensively found floodplains of the Kimberley. They can also be also can They Kimberley. the of floodplains Argyle and Kununurra) and occasionally tidal occasionally and Kununurra) and Argyle and the freshwater crocodile. Both species are species Both crocodile. freshwater the and tidal rivers and estuaries, billabongs and on the on and billabongs estuaries, and rivers tidal freshwater rivers, creeks, artificial lakes (such as (such lakes artificial creeks, rivers, freshwater Australia: the estuarine (or saltwater) crocodile saltwater) (or estuarine the Australia: ‘salties’) are most likely to be encountered in encountered be to likely most are ‘salties’) (commonly known as ‘freshies’) inhabit ‘freshies’) as known (commonly wo species of crocodile occur in Western in occur crocodile of species wo T Estuarine crocodiles (commonly known as known (commonly crocodiles Estuarine As the name suggests, freshwater crocodiles freshwater suggests, name the As WESTERN AUSTRALIA WESTERN (Crocodylus porosus) (Crocodylus (Crocodylus johnstoni) (Crocodylus CROCODILES IN CROCODILES ESTUARINE CROCODILE ESTUARINE FRESHWATER CROCODILE FRESHWATER surn rcdls ‘salties’. crocodiles, Estuarine . HOW TO BE “CROCODILE WISE” DO NOT FEED CROCODILES! . • Seek expert advice about crocodiles before Feeding crocodiles . swimming, camping, fishing or boating. is a foolhardy . There is potential danger anywhere within the practice that takes . Crocodiles estuarine crocodile range. If in doubt, do not . away their natural . swim, canoe or use small boats in estuaries, fear of humans . tidal rivers or deep pools. Estuarine crocodiles and teaches . may also inhabit freshwater pools and . crocodiles to . billabongs a great distance upstream. People recognise us as a . visiting the area should be aware that some source of food. of these billabongs and pools may not be . Estuarine . connected to the main watercourse during the . crocodiles mostly dry seasons from April to September. remain near the . • Large estuarine crocodiles have no fear of water’s edge and may be attracted to a struggling . humans; they are often inquisitive and may . fish, or a person splashing in the water. Fish and swim towards boats. Leave the area . fishing lures are replaceable - human life is not. immediately if you see one. • Be aware - keep your eyes open for . crocodiles. Children and pets are at particular . FOR FURTHER INFORMATION . risk in the water or at the water’s edge. • Do not paddle, clean fish, prepare food or ON CROCODILES CONTACT: . camp at the water’s edge. Fill a bucket and do Department of Conservation and . your chores at least 50 metres away. Land Management . • Returning daily or regularly to the same spot East Kimberley Regional Office . at the water’s edge is dangerous. PO Box 942, Kununurra WA 6743 . • Stand a few metres back from the water’s Telephone (08) 9168 4200 . edge when fishing. West Kimberley District Office . • Do not lean over the edge of a boat or stand . PO Box 65, Broome WA 6725 . on logs overhanging water, and do not hang Telephone (08) 9192 1036 . articles over the edge of boats – this includes . arms and legs! Pilbara Regional Office . PO Box 835, Karratha WA 6714 . • Dispose of food scraps, fish offal and other . waste properly and away from your campsite. Telephone (08) 9143 1488 . • It is common to see crocodiles near boat . ramps so be especially vigilant when . launching or retrieving your boat in estuarine . crocodile habitat. 2004109-04-?? . BIOLOGY CONSERVATION Crocodiles have been on Earth for more than Hunting for skins after 1945 caused a drastic 200 million years. They are a very ancient group decline in the crocodile population. In 1962, of reptiles whose ancestors were around before freshwater crocodiles were given protection the age of the dinosaurs. They lived through the NESTING from hunting in Western Australia and in 1970 Cretaceous period and successfully survived the protection was given to the estuarine crocodile. The estuarine crocodile usually nests during the Both species are now well on the way to recovery. great ice age periods of the last two million northern ‘wet’ season from November to April years. Perfectly adapted to their environment, There are two crocodile farms in Western while the freshwater crocodile lays its eggs in today’s crocodiles differ very little from their Australia that take crocodiles from the wild late August or early September. ancient relatives. under licenses based on the guidelines of Both species are territorial and will defend their CALM’s Crocodile Management Program. This nests against intruders. The females construct program helps ensure the survival of crocodiles nests in which hard-shelled eggs are laid and and maintains their role in the ecosystems in incubated. Estuarine crocodiles construct a which they occur. This is accomplished in a vegetation and soil nest in which up to 50 eggs manner unlikely to cause irreversible changes to are laid. Freshwater crocodiles excavate a hole the species themselves or their habitat. in sand or other soft soil and lay between 13 and 15 eggs. The incubation period is three PROTECTION months for both species. The two species of crocodiles that occur in Many factors affect the survival rate of young Australia are fully protected by state, national crocodiles; only a few ever reach maturity. and international legislation. Poaching, killing or Floodwaters may inundate and drown eggs and interfering with crocodiles, their eggs or habitat young crocodiles are often taken as food by is an offence carrying penalties of up to birds of prey, goannas and dingoes. $10,000. Incidents should be reported to your local CALM office. WHERE CAN YOU SEE CROCODILE WARNING! PROBLEM CROCODILES CROCODILES? Throughout the Kimberley region and parts of In Western Australia, problem crocodiles are Freshwater crocodiles are relatively common the Pilbara region you may see these signs considered to be those actively presenting within their range. Western Australia probably erected on tracks and roads, or when entering themselves as a threat to humans. The decision has the largest population because of the wide known crocodile habitats. The signs may also be as to what to do with such an animal is made range of suitable habitats, such as the massive found near boat ramps and at access points to on a case by case basis. When appropriate, Argyle and Kununurra lakes created by the Ord tidal influenced waterways and rivers. problem animals are caught and relocated to River dam system. ‘Freshies’ can be seen However, the absence of a warning sign does one of the crocodile farms. Crocodiles generally throughout the Kimberley in gorges and not signify that it is safe to swim or carry out cannot be relocated to another area due to their freshwater billabongs. Early morning and in the other water based recreation activities such as territorial nature. If released they will invariably afternoon are the best times to see them as canoeing, fishing or boating. return to the spot they were captured. they bask in the sun or float in the shallows When you enter the Kimberley or Pilbara Very often, problem crocodiles are between searching for food. regions, you are entering crocodile country. Seek one-and-a-half and three metres in length, a The estuarine crocodile can be difficult to local advice from your local CALM office and be size category known to be very mobile. Most of observe in the wild, owing to its shy nature. crocodile wise in your behaviour. them would have travelled long distances in However, in certain areas it is possible to see search of safe territory before entering areas them basking on mud banks and swimming populated by humans. during the day. Do not approach these animals closely. ‘Salties’ can move with amazing speed and are generally much more territorial than their freshwater cousins. Estuarine crocodiles are predators and when entering their habitat the individual takes all the responsibility for personnel safety. Crocodiles always have the advantage, so observe them from a safe distance..
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