Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) live across northern Australia and the wider Asia-Pacific. They inhabit freshwater rivers and wetlands as well as tidal waterways and coastal areas, so fresh water in crocodile country is no guarantee of safety.
They are the world’s largest living reptiles. Near crocodile habitat, assume crocodiles are present. Stay clear of the water’s edge and follow local safety directions.
Where saltwater crocodiles live
In Australia, saltwater crocodiles live in the north, including the Northern Territory, Queensland and Western Australia. Their habitat ranges from estuaries and mangroves to tidal rivers and freshwater creeks. Swamps and floodplain billabongs are also part of it. Some travel far inland, and the Northern Territory Government advises that crocodiles may be present in any salt or fresh water within their range.
The species also occurs across parts of the Asia-Pacific. Its distribution is uneven: the IUCN’s 2021 assessment, based on an assessment dated 2019, lists some countries as possibly extinct for the species. A broad range map does not confirm that crocodiles remain at every site within that range.
How to recognise a saltwater crocodile
A saltwater crocodile has a large head, a heavy jaw and two ridges running from its eyes along its snout. Its eyes, ears and nostrils sit high on its head, helping it sense its surroundings while most of its body stays underwater. A lower-jaw tooth may remain visible when its mouth is closed.
These features are clues, not a reason to approach. A crocodile can be hard to see in the water, including in shallow areas.
Size, diet and hunting
Male saltwater crocodiles in Queensland average about 3–4 metres long and weigh around 200–300 kilograms, according to the Queensland Government. Larger males occur: the Northern Territory Government says males normally grow up to 6 metres. Females are smaller; Queensland reports that they rarely exceed 3.5 metres. These figures describe different typical and upper-end sizes, rather than one standard size for every crocodile.
Fish make up much of their diet, alongside crabs, reptiles and birds. Large adults may take larger animals, while young crocodiles feed on smaller prey and have more options as they grow. Adults hunt by ambush, waiting near the water’s edge and lunging at animals that come to feed or drink.
Nesting and lifespan
Females build mound nests from vegetation and soil near water. A clutch contains about 50 eggs on average, though Queensland reports a range of 40–70. The female guards the nest, and young crocodiles may remain under her care for up to five weeks after hatching. Temperature during incubation influences the hatchlings’ sex.
The Northern Territory Government estimates that about 1% of hatchlings survive to maturity. The exact lifespan in the wild is unknown: Queensland says crocodiles are expected to live 50 years or more, while a Northern Territory facts page says they may survive beyond 65 years.
Conservation status
The IUCN classified the species as Least Concern globally in its 2021 Red List assessment. That assessment estimated more than 400,000 non-hatchlings worldwide, using information assessed in 2019; it is not a current population count.
Conservation status also depends on location and the rules being applied. The Northern Territory Government describes its population as abundant, while Queensland lists estuarine crocodiles as vulnerable under state law. A global category does not mean every regional population is secure.
Staying safe near crocodiles
Assume crocodiles are present in suitable habitat, even when you cannot see one or there is no warning sign. Do not enter water where crocodiles may occur, and do not approach, feed or interfere with a crocodile, including a small one.
Advice depends on location. Parks Australia tells visitors to Kakadu National Park to stay on marked tracks and away from the water’s edge; crocodiles can also attack people in boats, with smaller boats carrying greater risk. For the Northern Territory, Be Crocwise advises camping at least 50 metres from the water’s edge, staying at least 5 metres back from the edge when fishing from a bank, and keeping arms and legs inside a boat. Follow the directions of the authority responsible for the place you are visiting.