What is a freshwater crocodile?
The freshwater crocodile is a smaller, narrow-snouted crocodile found only in northern Australia. It lives in rivers, creeks and billabongs and is generally shy of people.
Freshwater crocodiles, or freshies, usually grow to about two to three metres long. They have a slender snout lined with sharp teeth, suited to catching fish, frogs, insects and small animals.
They live in inland waterways of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland, often in places where saltwater crocodiles are rare, such as upstream of rapids and waterfalls.
Safety
Freshies are not considered dangerous unless provoked, though they can bite if disturbed. People sometimes swim in gorges where only freshwater crocodiles live, such as parts of Nitmiluk and Windjana Gorge, but they should follow ranger advice.
Cane toads have killed many freshies.
Like their saltwater relatives, freshwater crocodiles can move surprisingly fast on land and are even able to gallop over short distances. They often bask on riverbanks in the morning sun and slide into the water when approached. Windjana Gorge in the Kimberley and Katherine Gorge are among the best places to see them basking. They were protected in the 1960s and 1970s after hunting for their skins.
Did You Know?
Freshwater crocodiles lay eggs in sandbank holes during the dry season.