Freshwater crocodile

"Freshie" redirects here. For the drink mix, see Freshie (drink mix).

Freshwater Crocodile
Conservation status
Least Concern (IUCN 2.3) [1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Animalia
Phylum:	Chordata
Class:	Sauropsida
Order:	Crocodilia
Family:	Crocodylidae
Subfamily:	Crocodylinae
Genus:	Crocodylus
Species:	C. johnsoni
Binomial name
Crocodylus johnsoni Gerard Krefft, 1873[2]
Range of the freshwater crocodile in black
Synonyms
Crocodylus johnstoni[3]

The freshwater crocodile (Crocodylus johnsoni or Crocodylus johnstoni; see below), also known as the Australian freshwater crocodile, Johnston's crocodile or colloquially as freshie, is a species of reptile endemic to the northern regions of Australia. It is much smaller than the other Australian species, the saltwater crocodile, which is responsible for attacks on people.

Unlike their larger saltwater relatives, freshwater crocodiles are not known as man-eaters and rarely cause fatalities although they will bite in self-defense if cornered. However as prey for larger adults can include wallabies, small children should not be left unattended in their presence, although no such attacks have been reported.

Anatomy and appearance

The freshwater crocodile is a relatively small crocodilian. Males can grow to around 3 metres (9.8 ft) long, while females reach a maximum size of 2.1 metres (6.9 ft).^[4] In areas such as Lake Argyle and Katherine Gorge there exist a handful of confirmed 4 metres (13 ft) individuals. This species is shy and has a more slender snout than the dangerous saltwater crocodile. The body colour is light brown with darker bands on the body and tail — these tend to be broken up near the neck. Some individuals possess distinct bands or speckling on the snout. Body scales are relatively large, with wide, close-knit armoured plates on the back. Rounded, pebbly scales cover the flanks and outsides of the legs.^[4]

Attacks on humans

Although the freshwater crocodile does not attack humans as potential prey, it can deliver a nasty bite. There have been a (very limited) number of incidents where people have been bitten whilst swimming with freshwater crocodiles, and others incurred during scientific study. An attack by a freshwater crocodile on a human was recorded at Barramundi Gorge (also known as Maguk) in Kakadu National Park and resulted in minor injuries; the victim managed to swim and walk away from the attack. He had apparently passed directly over the crocodile in the water. However in general it is still considered safe to swim with this species, so long as they are not aggravated.^[5]

Distribution and habitat

Freshwater crocodiles are found in the states of Western Australia, Queensland, and the Northern Territory. Main habitats include freshwater wetlands, billabongs, rivers and creeks. They compete poorly with saltwater crocodiles; however this species is saltwater tolerant. Adult crocodiles eat birds, bats, reptiles, amphibians and fish, although larger individuals may take prey as large as a wallaby. This species can live in areas where saltwater crocodiles cannot, and are known to inhabit areas above the escarpment in Kakadu National Park and in very arid and rocky conditions (such as Katherine Gorge, where they are common and are relatively safe from saltwater crocodiles during the dry season.) However, they are still consistently found in low-level billabongs, living alongside the saltwater crocodiles near the tidal reaches of rivers.

Conservation and concerns

Freshwater crocodile at Australia Zoo

Until recently the Freshwater crocodile was common in northern Australia, especially where saltwater crocodiles are absent (such as more arid inland areas and higher elevations). In recent years the population has dropped dramatically due to the ingestion of the invasive Cane Toad. The toad is poisonous to freshwater crocodiles, although not to saltwater crocodiles, and the toad is rampant throughout the Australian wilderness.^[6] The crocodiles are also infected by Griphobilharzia amoena, a parasitic trematode, in regions such as Darwin.^[7]

Naming

When Gerard Krefft named the species in 1873, he intended to commemorate the man, named Johnston, who first reported it to him. However, Krefft made an error in writing the name, and for many years the species has been known as johnsoni. Recent studies of Krefft's papers have determined the correct spelling of the name, and much of the literature has been updated to the correct usage. However, both versions are still extant. According to the rules of the International Code of Zoological Nomenclature, the epithet johnsoni (rather than the intended johnstoni) is correct.^[4]

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  Head of a freshwater crocodile

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  Freshwater crocodile basking on a log

References

1. ^ Crocodile Specialist Group (1996). Crocodylus johnsoni. In: IUCN 2008. IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Downloaded on 31 January 2010.
2. ^ "Crocodylus johnsoni". Integrated Taxonomic Information System. http://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=551774. 
3. ^ [ . . johnstoni means "of Johnston", derived from the name of the first European to discover and report it to Krefft. Unfortunately Krefft mis-spelled the name "johnsoni" in his initial description and his subsequent correction was ignored until 1983 when the nomenclature was reviewed thoroughly by Hal Cogger (Cogger 1983). Although the majority of scientific literature, including all Australian Federal, State and Territory legislation has been using "johnstoni" correctly since then, the uncorrected version is still popular especially in the US on the basis of a later taxonomic review (King and Burke 1989) that ignored Cogger's revision. http://crocodilian.com/cnhc/csp_cjoh.htm Crocodilian Species List, Crocodylus johnstoni (KREFFT, 1873) ]
4. ^ ^{a b c} Adam Britton. "Crocodylus johnstoni". Florida Museum of Natural History. http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/cnhc/csp_cjoh.htm. Retrieved 16 June 2009. 
5. ^ http://aebrain.blogspot.com/2003/09/how-embarressing.html
6. ^ "Crocodiles falling victim to cane toads". ABC News. 29 December 2008. http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/12/29/2456149.htm. 
7. ^ T. R. Platt, D. Blair, et al. (1991). "Griphobilharzia amoena n. gen., n. sp. (Digenea: Schistosomatidae), a parasite of the freshwater crocodile Crocodylus johnstoni (Reptilia: Crocodylia) from Australia, with the erection of a new subfamily, Griphobilharziinae". Journal of Parasitology 77 (1): 65–68. doi:10.2307/3282558. JSTOR 3282558. 

External links

Media related to Crocodylus johnsoni at Wikimedia Commons