The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) also known as the estuarine crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, marine crocodile, sea crocodile, or saltie, is a large species of crocodilian which has a wide range being found throughout India, Southeast Asia, Australia, and Micronesia. Here they inhabit coastal lagoons, wetlands, deltas, estuaries, mangrove swamps, rivers, and freshwater lakes. These moderately social yet extremely aggressive crocodilians feed on a wide variety of prey including invertebrates, fish, amphibians, snakes, reptiles, birds, and various mammals from as small as bats to as large as gaur. Saltwater crocodiles exhibit a great degree of sexual dimphorism with males often reaching 4 to 5 times the size of females. They are also on average the largest extant crocodilian with the biggest males reaching 18 to 23ft (5.5 to 7m) in length and 2,000 to 3,300lbs (900 to 1,500kgs) in weight. In comparison female saltwater crocodiles get to around 8 to 14ft (2.5 to 4.3m) in length and 165 to 1,000lbs (75 to 455kg) in weight. Both sexes have a broader snout and body compared to other crocodile species with a pair of ridges that run from the eyes along to the center of the snout. There coloration is generally a tan to greenish grey in color; but there is variation in color among different populations with some appearing a yellowish tint and others almost black. Like the american crocodile, saltwater crocodiles sport salt glands on their heads that can secrete excess salt, allowing them to drink salt water. Saltwater crocodiles have the highest bite force of any animal recorded at 16,414 newtons (3,690 pounds-force). Breeding occurs during the wet season, during such time a male saltwater crocodile will approach a female in his territory - if she lets him get near, the two will court by rubbing their heads together before mating underwater. The pregnant female will carry her eggs with her for 1 to 2 months before building a nest on the edge of a tidal river or lagoon, laying the clutch inside. She will guard them fiercely for 80 to 98 days, at which point the young crocodiles will hatch and be cared for for the first 8 months of their lives. It's at this point they become large enough to become independent, fending for themselves now they are no longer vulnerable. Females reach sexual maturity at 12 years old, and males at 16. Under ideal conditions a saltwater crocodile may live upwards of 70 years.

comm for @wolftheidioticfan

Baby Estuarine Crocodile. Probably about 6 months old. Still being protected by its mother. Some crocodiles on the Daintree river have been observed protecting their young for up to 9 months. Some have been observed adopting and protecting orphan young. This has not been observed elsewhere in Australia. Daintree River.

Description: In April of 1904, while staying at a resort, post officer worker Axel Nilsson saw a serpent off the coast of Saltsjobaden, Sweden. Dubbed Saltie, the serpent would bee seen again on different occasions throughout the mid 1900’s. It was last seen in July of 1910 off the coast of Svenskar.