Reptiles · Crocodilia · Crocodylidae

Saltwater Crocodile

Crocodylus porosus

Least Concern

The species is abundant and widely distributed; it faces no significant short-term risk. See full glossary

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It is the largest living reptile in the world and one of the most dangerous predators to people within its range.

Weight

400 kg – 1 t

Size

3 m – 7 m

Lifespan

70 years

Diet

Carnivore

Feeds mainly on other animals.

Activity

Nocturnal

Active mainly at night.

Social structure

Solitary

Lives and hunts alone, joining others only to breed.

Sighting difficulty

Easy

OceanFreshwaterCarnivore Nocturnal Solitary Reptile Ocean Freshwater

21countries 11parks 13dive sites10same family

Fun facts

Males can reach 6 to 7 metres long, while females rarely exceed 3 metres.
It can cover long distances in the open sea by riding ocean currents.
It hunts from ambush, taking fish, reptiles, birds, mammals and even other crocodiles.
récordIt is the largest living reptile in the world, and can cross long stretches of open sea by riding ocean currents to colonise new islands.

Life cycle & biology

Skeleton type: Vertebrate - internal bony skeleton (reptile)
Habitat & environment: Estuaries, mangroves, coastal rivers and open ocean of the Indo-Pacific, capable of long sea crossings
Birth weight: ~70 grams; 25-30 cm long
Size at birth: 25 - 30 cm long at hatching
Sexual maturity: 8-10 years
Gestation / incubation: ~90 days (some sources give 80-90 days)
Litter / clutch size: 20 to 80 eggs per clutch
Lifespan in captivity: A documented record of 57 confirmed years, with anecdotal estimates of over 100

Sources consulted: DinoAnimals; Dimensions.com; MarineBio; The Animal Facts; AnAge (genomics.senescence.info); Ocean Info; PMC (hatchling growth study)