The freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni or Crocodylus johnsoni), also known as the Australian freshwater crocodile, Johnstone's crocodile or also known as freshie, is a species of crocodile endemic to the northern regions of Australia.Unlike their much larger Australian relative, the saltwater crocodile, freshwater crocodiles are not known as man-eaters, although they bite in self defence, and brief, nonfatal attacks have occurred, apparently the result of mistaken identity.

The freshwater crocodile is an Australian reptile. The species inhabits rivers, creeks, freshwater wetlands, swamps and billabongs of Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory.

Appearance

The Australian freshwater crocodile is easily identified due to its unusual snout, which is tapered and narrow, reminding that of the gavial. The species is closely related to the Australian saltwater crocodile, being the latter's small cousin. This reptile possesses eyelid or a nictitating membrane, which protects the eyes of the animal under the water. The tail is powerful, legs are solid, and the feet are clawed and webbed. On both sides of the bottom jaw the animals display large, prominent fourth teeth. When the crocodiles close their mouths, these teeth fit into a notch on their upper jaw, remaining visible. The skin of the reptile exhibits brown with dark stripes along the body as well as on the tail and snout of the animal. The crocodile has large scales on its body, which have a form of wide plates on the back, bony plates on the belly, and pebbly scales on the flanks and outside of the animal's legs.

Habits and Lifestyle

These reptiles are night hunters, meanwhile being active by day. Freshwater crocodiles use so-called "sit-and-wait" technique of hunting, unexpectedly attacking the prey by quick sideways motion of the head. Those, living in areas with constant availability of water, are active throughout the year. In the meantime, those, exposed to drought during the dry winter season, tend to become dormant. During the winter, the crocodiles find shelter in dens, dug into the creek bank, where a group of these animals can be seen using the same den. Freshwater crocodiles, living in captivity, are not tolerant to their own kind, often showing extremely aggressive behavior towards one another. Those, living in the wild, are typically dominated by a large male, who tends to attack and bite the tails of lower-ranked crocodiles, thus establishing dominance. When threatened on land, the reptile quickly flees by fast gallop, entering into the water, where the animal feels safe.

Diet and Nutrition

Adult freshwater crocodiles are carnivores, they usually feed upon reptiles, amphibians, insects, bats, crustaceans, fish as well as occasional land mammals, caught nearby water. Meanwhile, juveniles tend to consume smaller prey such as insects, crustaceans and smaller species of fish.

Population

The primary threat to these crocodiles is habitat destruction due to agricultural development. Freshwater crocodiles also suffer from illegal hunting, which significantly decreases the population of this species.

These reptiles form an important link in the food chain of freshwater and estuarine ecosystems of their habitat. Thus, they are top predators of their range, consuming a variety of animal species. On the other hand, their hatchlings and juveniles become prey for other animals of the area, including goannas, barramundi, feral pigs, sea eagles, turtles as well as other crocodiles. This makes Freshwater crocodile both predator and prey, due to which the animal helps keep a wetland ecosystem healthy, which, in turn, maintains the fishery healthy.

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