What is the Difference Between Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles

The main difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles is their size; saltwater crocodiles or salties are larger than freshwater crocodiles or freshies. Furthermore, saltwater crocodiles have a broader and thicker snout while freshwater crocodiles have a longer and thinner snout. Moreover, saltwater crocodiles have an uneven jawline with teeth varying in size while freshwater crocodiles have a straight jawline and teeth with equal size.

Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles are two species of crocodiles native to Australia. However, saltwater crocodiles are more prone to attack humans.

Key Areas Covered

1. Saltwater Crocodiles
     – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior
2. Freshwater Crocodiles
     – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior
3. What are the Similarities Between Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles
     – Outline of Common Features
4. What is the Difference Between Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles
    – Comparison of Key Differences

Key Terms

Freshwater Crocodiles, Habitat, Saltwater Crocodiles, Size, Snout, Teeth

Saltwater Crocodiles – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior

Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) are the largest form of crocodiles native to Australia. The coastal region of the Northern Territory and the top end waterways are two ideal habitats of saltwater crocodiles. However, Australian saltwater crocodile is one of the most aggressive forms of crocodiles. The female saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 4 meters while the male saltwater crocodiles can grow up to 7 meters. The weight of a well-grown saltwater crocodile can reach 1000 kg. Moreover, they can live for more than 50 years.

Figure 1: Saltwater Crocodile

Furthermore, due to their large size, they can consume large animals including livestock like cattle and horses. Therefore, humans may also fall prey to saltwater crocodiles. Adult crocodiles breed during the wet season and they build a nest in large piles of vegetation, sand or soil located along the banks of a river, swamp or estuary.

Freshwater Crocodiles – Definition, Characteristics, Behavior

Freshwater crocodiles (Crocodylus johnstoni) are the smaller form of crocodiles that live in the freshwater habitats of Australia. They mainly live in the inland freshwater areas in the Australian tropics and occasionally in the tidal portions of rivers. Also, they are a protected species in Australia as their number is reducing due to the reducing habitats. Moreover, the female freshwater crocodiles can grow up to 2 meters while the male freshwater crocodiles can grow up to 3 meters in length. Their maturation occurs after 15 years of age.

Figure 2: Freshwater Crocodile

Moreover, the diet of freshwater crocodiles commonly include insects, fish, frogs, turtles, water birds and snakes that live near the river. Generally, they are inoffensive but will bite humans if provoked. Additionally, freshwater crocodiles breed during the dry season. Females lay eggs in holes dug in the sandy riverbanks.

Similarities Between Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles

• Saltwater and freshwater crocodiles are two species of crocodiles native to Australia.
• Both are large in size.
• Also, both are cold-blooded, carnivorous reptiles.
• Furthermore, their bodies are large with shorter legs and long, muscular tails.
• And, their thick and leathery skin contains plate-shaped bony scales.
• Moreover, their teeth are conical and are located outside of the jaw.
• Additionally, they have narrow, V-shaped snouts.
• Besides, they exhibit indeterminate growth.
• Both are solitary animals.

Difference Between Saltwater and Freshwater Crocodiles

Definition

Saltwater crocodiles refer to the large and dangerous crocodiles occurring in estuaries and coastal waters from south-western India to northern Australia while freshwater crocodiles refer to a species of crocodile endemic to the northern regions of Australia.

Species

The species name of saltwater crocodiles is Crocodylus porosus while the species name of freshwater crocodiles is Crocodylus johnstoni.

Habitat

Their habitat is a major difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. Saltwater crocodiles live in saltwater habitats while freshwater crocodiles live in freshwater habitats.

Size

The main difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles is their size. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest members among all crocodiles while freshwater crocodiles are smaller.

Snout

Also, the snout of the saltwater crocodiles is broader and thicker while the snout of freshwater crocodiles is longer and thinner.

Jawline

Moreover, the jawline of saltwater crocodiles is uneven while the jawline of freshwater crocodiles is even. This is also a difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.

The size of the Teeth

The teeth of saltwater crocodiles are unequal in size while the teeth of freshwater crocodiles are equal in size.

Diet

Saltwater crocodiles consume small reptiles, fish, turtles, wading bird, and larger prey like wild pigs, buffaloes, and livestock while freshwater crocodiles consume smaller animals like insects, fish, frogs, turtles, water birds, and snakes.

Behavior

While saltwater crocodiles are more aggressive, freshwater crocodiles are less aggressive. This is another difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles.

Attacking Humans

Furthermore, saltwater crocodiles tend to consume humans while freshwater crocodiles usually do not attack humans.

Breeding

Breeding is another difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles. Saltwater crocodiles breed during wet season while freshwater crocodiles breed during the dry season.

Conclusion

Saltwater crocodiles are the largest form of crocodiles that mainly live in Australia. The main feature of saltwater crocodiles is that they are broader and thicker. Also, the jawline of saltwater crocodiles is uneven with unequal sizes of teeth in it. The saltwater crocodiles tend to attack humans as well. In comparison, freshwater crocodiles are a species of crocodiles native to Australia. It is smaller than a saltwater crocodile. Also, their snout is longer and thinner. Their jawline is even while their teeth are also equal in size. Therefore, the main difference between saltwater and freshwater crocodiles is the size, the shape of the snout, jawline, and teeth.

References:

1. “About Crocodiles.” All about Australia’s Crocodiles., Dive The Reef, Available Here.

Image Courtesy:

1. “Crocodile Crocodylus-porosus amk2” By AngMoKio – Own work (CC BY-SA 2.5) via Commons Wikimedia  
2. “Freshwater Crocodile at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary” By Richard Fisher – originally posted to Flickr as Freshwater Crocodile at Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia