News: A recent genetic study has confirmed that the now-extinct crocodiles of the Seychelles were saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus).
About Saltwater Crocodiles
- The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is the largest and heaviest living reptile in the world and an opportunistic apex predator.
- It is also known as the estuarine or Indo-Pacific crocodile.
- It is uniquely adapted to marine and brackish environments due to specialized salt-excreting glands.
- Habitat: The species inhabits mangroves, estuaries, rivers, and coastal areas across the Indo-Pacific region.
- It is noted for its high territoriality, solitary behaviour, and long-distance oceanic dispersal ability.
- Distribution
- It has a wide Indo-Pacific distribution, occurring along the eastern coast of India, Southeast Asia, the Sundaic region, northern Australia, and Micronesia.
- In India, it is primarily found in Odisha, the Sundarbans of West Bengal, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Characteristics
- The saltwater crocodile is highly territorial and largely solitary, with dominant males controlling extensive stretches of rivers, estuaries, or coastal areas.
- It possesses specialized salt-excreting glands that enable it to survive for long periods in seawater.
- It is an opportunistic hypercarnivorous apex predator capable of long-distance oceanic dispersal.
- It is the largest and heaviest living reptile, exhibiting exceptional adaptability to both marine and freshwater environments.
- Threats
- Habitat loss and degradation due to coastal development, mangrove destruction, and alteration of estuarine ecosystems.
- Human–crocodile conflict
- Historical overexploitation and extermination linked to hunting and early human settlement
- Disturbance from increasing human activity in nesting and basking sites, affecting breeding success
- Conservation Status-
- IUCN Red List: Least Concern
- CITES: Appendix I (with exceptions)
- Schedule I of India’s Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
