Family: Crocodylidae
The saltwater crocodile, or saltie, is the largest living reptile. The croc has a very large head with ridges running from the eye orbits down the center of the snout, and a broad body. Despite suffering severe depletion throughout most of its range because of illegal hunting and habitat destruction, the saltie remains the world's most widely distributed crocodilian, and the least likely to go extinct. A saltie's diet depends primarily on its size. Juvenile animals eat small prey items, such as insects, crabs, shrimp, lizards, and snakes; adults feed on birds, fish, and mammals, with the largest individuals (generally males) capable of taking down animals as big as adult male water buffalos. Saltwater crocs are also notorious man eaters, and are responsible for many of the animal attacks on humans in Southeast Asia and Australia.
Saltwater crocs are opportunistic, ambush hunters. They'll lie in wait below the surface, near the water's edge -- usually at night -- for their victim to wander within range. Without warning, the croc will quickly strike, clamp onto the victim with its powerful jaws, and drag it back under the water. The crocs are highly territorial, and adult males will often kill juveniles and subordinate males. Females become sexually mature around 10 to 12 years old; after breeding, they'll lay from 40 to 60 eggs in mound nests of mud and vegetation. The eggs hatch after 80 to 90 days and are helped out of the nest and into the water by the female. Because of nest flooding and other hazards, only 1 percent of the babies reach maturity. As in many reptile species, the gender of croc embryos is determined by the temperature of the nest; the most males are born at a nest temperature of 88.9 degrees Fahrenheit (31.6 degrees Celsius); females develop at temperatures above and below that mark.
Did you know? Saltwater crocodiles can reach speeds of 15 to 18 miles per hour on land, in short bursts.
