Freshwater Crocodile, Johnston's Crocodile, Johnstone's Crocodile  |  

A greenish-grey to brown crocodile, with darker markings. Snout smooth and narrow; teeth not obvious with jaw closed. Active primarily at night, but may be seen basking or swimming during the day. During the later dry season, females bury up to 21 eggs in a sandy bank. The temperature during incubation determines the sex of the hatchlings: temperatures below 30 degrees and above 32 produce all females; temperatures in between produce 70% males and 30% females. After 2-3 months, the young squeak as they begin to hatch. A female (not always their mother) will help to dig them free, and may carry them to the water in her mouth. Females attain breeding age at 9 years (at the earliest); males at 16 years. Seriously susceptible to the toxin of Cane Toads, and recent declines of 16-77% in populations are recorded. Mostly permanent freshwater, but sometimes estuarine areas. They are most common where Saltwater Crocodiles do not occur.