Reptiles
Freshwater Crocodile
Crocodylus johnstoni · also called Johnstone's crocodile, freshie
In a gorge pool in the Kimberley, a freshwater crocodile lies at the water’s edge, its narrow snout pointing downstream as it waits for a passing fish.
Overview
The freshwater crocodile, Crocodylus johnstoni, is a Least Concern crocodile of rivers, billabongs, and gorges in northern Australia. Its slender snout, fish diet, and shy nature set it apart from its much larger neighbour, the saltwater crocodile.
A crocodile that catches fish
The freshie’s narrow snout can whip sideways through the water to snap up fish, and it is a far more modest predator than the giant saltwater crocodile.
Status
Least Concern, widespread and stable.
Freshwater Crocodile: common questions
Is the freshwater crocodile dangerous?
It is much smaller and shyer than the saltwater crocodile and is unlikely to attack people, though it can bite hard if provoked.
What do freshwater crocodiles eat?
They feed mostly on fish, insects, crustaceans, frogs, and small reptiles.
How did cane toads affect it?
Large numbers died in some rivers when invasive cane toads arrived, because the toads' toxin poisons animals that eat them.
Where does the freshwater crocodile live?
It lives in rivers, billabongs, and gorges in northern Australia.