Kevin+Hawkins+-+Saltwater+Crocodile

=Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus)=

The scientific name //Crocodylus porosus// is an allusion to the rugose and bumpy upper surface of the snout seen in large adult specimens. It's genus is //Crocodylus// and its apart of the prosus species. The **Saltwater** or **Estuarine crocodile** (//Crocodylus porosus//) is the largest of all living reptiles.

Location and Natural Habitat
Most maps reveal a much more historic distribution for this species, as they are currently extinct throughout much of this commonly accepted "range." They are native to Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and the surrounding waters: Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Burma, Cambodia, China, Indian (including Andaman Islands), Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau (Caroline Islands), Papua New Guinea, Philippines ("at risk"), Singapore (regionally extinct), Sri Lanka, Solomon Islands, Thailand (possibly extinct), Vanuatu (Banks Islands), and Vietnam.  They specifically inbahit the deltaic regions of Bramhani, the Baitarani, Dhamra and Mahanadi river systems of the state and in the estuaries of these rivers where there is regular flow of tidal waters from the sea. "Vagrant individuals have historically been reported on New Caledonia, Iwo Jima, Fiji, and even in the relatively frigid Sea of Japan (thousands of miles from their native territory)." They are a terrestrial, freshwater species whose territorial instincts have widens it range. They move "downstream to estuaries in the dry season, and sometimes traveling far out to sea." Their dominant behavior that has led to a wide distribution is also fueled by their impressive ability to swim at 15-18 miles per hour (mph) at short distances and 2-3 mph while cruising.

Niche
The crocodiles are the largest on the planet and are capable of eating anything within its range, monkeys, kangaroos, sambars, wild boar, dingos, goannas, birds, domestic livestock, pets, sharks, even humans, and things weighing over a ton, such as domestic cattle, horses, water buffalo and gaur. While there are many unconfirmed reports and claims of crocodiles 28 feet and longer, the longest accepted report is of a 23 foot long one in the Bhitarkanika Park in the state of Orissa, India. The larger male specimens have been known to have rugose and bumpy upper surface of the snout, which is why they are titled //Porosus, // which means "full of callosities". They "spend the tropical wet season in freshwater swamps and rivers, moving downstream to estuaries in the dry season, and sometimes traveling far out to sea." They push inferior competitors, including juvenile crocodiles, out of their region in order to survive and completely take over large ares of the river and adjoining riverbanks that supply them with their large amount of required daily intake. Some crocodiles have been found with barnacles on them, indicating that they have spent extended periods of time in marine conditions. This also represents a commensal symbiotic relationships between the two because the barncles get a home and a free ride, but the crocs get nothing in return. They can mate as juveniles and usually do during February to April. Nests are made in May within mangrove vines, twigs, and mud on elevated ground that's unreachable by the waters of high tide and they lay up to 45 eggs that hatch in about 80 days, oviparously. They are active all day long, but prefer to hunt at night and they prefer to hunt alone because they are not a group/pack animal and are very territorial.

Population Status
This species is most abundant in the Dangmal-Bhitakanika National Park in Orissa, India near the West Bengal and in the Sundarbans National Park (primarily). Annual census of crocodiles is being undertaken in the mid winter. Over 5,808 adult crocodiles have been released from Bhitakanika into the wild between 1995 and now, while 26 have been sent to other regions between 1995 and 2002. "In India this crocodile is extremely rare in most areas but is very common in the north eastern part of the country..." This species has a low population in India and is classified as 'Least Concern'. The population of this species is on the rise and I think it will continue to increase as officials keep an eye on their needs and the affects of their communities.

Species in Competition
Although the Dangmal-Bhitakanika National Park is known for having the largest population of giant saltwater crocodiles, the park is also home to the white crocodile, Indian python, black ibis, wild pigs, rhesus monkeys, chitals, darters, cobra, and water monitor lizard. The older, larger saltwater crocodiles dominate the entire region they inhabit and are a very territorial species controlled by independent males, but the juvenile crocodiles directly compete with the Indian Python. The Indian Python not only shares its location, it's nocturnal and also likes to hunt during the night. The pythons share large mammals and birds with the crocodiles and also can go without eating or fast for long periods of time after a heavy meal. They share their habitat as well; both living in marshes, swamps, woodlands, river valleys, and mangrove thickets. They both need a permant water source to survive, but can live in and out of the water. Finally, they both lay eggs and nurture their young until they reach a point where they are independent, both of their offspring grow quickly, and both oviparous. It wouldn't take the crocodiles very long to replace the snakes in their ecosystem, but it would have a damaging affect on it because they would have more pray and feed off of more important populations in India.

Work Cited
 Crocodile Specialist Group 1996. //Crocodylus porosus//. IUCN 2009. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2009.1. Retrieved October 4, 2009, from []

 Jayanth Sharma 2006. Silent Creeks, Sinister Crocs & Spectacular Kingfishers. Wildlife Times 2009. Trip Reports. Retrieved October 7, 2009, from []

<span style="display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Saltwater Crocodile facts (n. d.). Retrieved October 7, 2009, from Aquatic Community website: <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">[|http://www.aquaticcommunity.com/crocodiles/saltfacts.php]

<span style="color: #000000; display: block; font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: normal; text-align: left;">Crocodile - Salt water crocodile project at Dangmal-Bhitarkanika National Park. Bhitarkanika National Park 2007-2008. Retrieved October 7, 2009, from <span style="font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 19px;">[]

Wikipedia 2009: Saltwater Crocodile. Retreived October 7, 2009, from [] Bhitarkanika National Park. Retreived October 7, 2009, from [] Sundarbans National Park. Retreived October 7, 2009, from [] Sundarbans. Retreived October 7, 2009, from [] Python Molurus. Retreived October 7, 2009, from []

Adam Britton 2009. Distribution of <span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family: arial,verdana,sans-serif; line-height: normal;">//Crocodylus porosus.// Crocodilian Species. Retrieved October 7, 2009 from <span style="-webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; color: #000000; display: inline; font-family: arial,helvetica,sans-serif; line-height: 19px; text-align: left; text-decoration: none;">[]   <span style="font-family: futura,verdana,arial,sans-serif; font-size: medium; line-height: normal;"> <span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Gerald L. Wood, The Guinness Book of Animal Facts and Feats - 3rd Edition. New York: Sterling Publishing Company, Inc. (April 1983).