Leslie Massey
Australia is home to two species of crocodiles: the saltwater crocodile and the freshwater crocodile. Saltwater crocodiles are the largest and most common species, inhabiting the northern coasts of Australia, as well as the islands of Indonesia, New Guinea, Borneo, the Philippines, and other surrounding areas. Freshwater crocodiles, on the other hand, are smaller and found in the Northern Territory of Australia. Both species play significant roles in the ecosystem and have unique dietary habits that contribute to their survival and impact the surrounding environment.
What do Australian Crocodiles Eat?
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Diet | Insects, amphibians, crustaceans, small species of fish and reptiles, feral pigs, buffalo, goats, water buffalo, wild boar, cattle, flying foxes, crabs, wallabies, turtles, birds, fish, frogs, lizards, snakes, birds, mammals, crustaceans, crickets, grasshoppers, baby mice, and chopped adult mice |
| Diet by Crocodile Type | Freshwater Crocodiles: crustaceans, insects, spiders, fish, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals. Saltwater Crocodiles: ground-living birds, water birds, swift-flying birds, bats, wading birds, small species of ungulates, greater mouse-deer, hog deer, primates, crab-eating macaques, proboscis monkeys, gibbons, wallabies, golden jackals, viverrids, flying foxes, hares, rodents, badgers, otters, chevrotains, pangolins, and Indian porcupines |
| Cannibalism | Yes, larger crocodiles sometimes prey on hatchlings |
| Human Consumption | Not a regular part of a large crocodile's diet, but humans at the water's edge may be mistaken for other mammals |
| Feeding Behaviour | Night hunters, spending the daytime moving through water or sunbathing |
| Feeding Frequency | Can survive for months without food |
| Feeding Locations | More active and likely to spend time in the water during the Australian summer; less active and spend more time basking in the sun during the winter |
| Feeding Locations | Northern coasts of Australia, Indonesia, New Guinea, Sri Lanka, eastern India, estuaries of Southeast Asia to central Vietnam, Borneo, the Philippines, Palau, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands |
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What You'll Learn
Australian saltwater crocodiles eat feral pigs, buffalo, and livestock
Saltwater crocodiles in Australia have a varied diet, and their eating habits have changed over time. In the 1970s, the small population of saltwater crocodiles in the Northern Territory ate mostly fish. However, in recent years, their diet has shifted to include more terrestrial prey, such as feral pigs, buffalo, and livestock. This change has had a significant impact on the ecosystem in the Top End.
Feral pigs, in particular, have become a favourite food of saltwater crocodiles. The rise in the number of feral pigs in the Northern Territory has provided an abundant food source for the crocodiles, and their taste for pork has contributed to the recovery of the crocodile population from hunting pressures. The predation pressure created by crocodiles on feral pigs is also limiting the damage caused by pigs to sensitive ecosystems.
Saltwater crocodiles also prey on buffalo, which can be found in large herds near waterways. By hunting the weaker members of the herd, crocodiles can capture small animals disturbed by the buffalo. In addition, the introduction of water buffalo to areas occupied by saltwater crocodiles has supported the growth of large crocodiles. However, the presence of feral water buffalo also poses a threat to the nesting habitat of saltwater crocodiles, as they can trample the nests.
Livestock, such as chickens, sheep, pigs, and horses, are also part of the diet of Australian saltwater crocodiles. This has been a concern for humans, as the species has a tendency to treat humans as prey. The unregulated hunting of saltwater crocodiles in the 20th century caused a significant decline in their population, and they now have full legal protection in all Australian states and territories where they are found.
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Australian freshwater crocodiles are cannibalistic
Australian freshwater crocodiles are slender-snouted and considerably smaller in build and overall size compared to their saltwater cousins. They inhabit various freshwater environments, including rivers, creeks, pools, billabongs, lagoons, and swamps. They are known to be cannibalistic, with larger individuals sometimes preying on hatchlings. In fact, cannibalism has been caught on camera, with a smaller freshwater crocodile being attacked and eaten by a larger saltwater crocodile.
In captivity, hatchlings will feed on crickets and grasshoppers, while larger young eat dead baby mice and chopped adult mice. In the wild, they eat a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey, including crustaceans, insects, spiders, fishes, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals. Insects (both aquatic and terrestrial) appear to be the most common food item, followed by fish.
Larger crocodiles tend to eat larger prey items, however, the average size of prey for all Freshwater Crocodiles is generally small (mostly less than 2cm²). They may walk considerable distances at the end of the wet season in search of a dry season refuge. When startled on land, a Freshwater Crocodile may leap into a fast 'gallop' and rapidly sprint to the water.
Freshwater Crocodiles can be very aggressive to one another, especially when in captivity. Juveniles less than three months old will bite each other on the head, body, and limbs, and juveniles up to six months old continue to bite each other, sometimes with fatal consequences. In the wild, a large male will usually dominate a congregation, attacking and biting the tails of subordinates to assert dominance.
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Insects are a common food item for freshwater crocodiles
In Australia, there are two types of crocodiles: the saltwater crocodile and the freshwater crocodile. This answer will focus on the diet of the latter.
In captivity, the diet of freshwater crocodiles differs slightly. Hatchlings will feed on insects such as crickets and grasshoppers, while larger young eat dead baby mice and chopped adult mice. In the wild, the diet of larger crocodiles includes crustaceans, spiders, fish, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals.
The average size of prey for all freshwater crocodiles is generally small, typically less than 2 cm². Larger crocodiles tend to eat larger prey items, but even they include insects in their diet.
Freshwater crocodiles are known to be cannibalistic, with larger individuals sometimes preying on hatchlings. They are also known to perform a 'high walk' to move overland, with their body held high so that the belly and most of the tail do not touch the ground.
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Young saltwater crocodiles eat small prey like insects and amphibians
Young saltwater crocodiles, also known as 'salties', primarily feed on small prey such as insects, amphibians, crustaceans, and small species of fish and reptiles. In captivity, freshwater crocodile hatchlings will feed on crickets and grasshoppers, while larger young eat dead baby mice and chopped adult mice.
The diet of saltwater crocodiles differs with age. As they mature, they develop a taste for larger prey, including feral pigs, buffalo, goats, and wild boar. They also eat other animals such as wallabies, cattle, flying foxes, crabs, and turtles. Humans are not a regular part of a large crocodile's diet, but a person at the water's edge may be mistaken for another mammal and attacked.
Saltwater crocodiles are primarily found in the northern coasts of Australia, the islands of Indonesia and New Guinea, the shores of Sri Lanka and eastern India, and the estuaries of Southeast Asia to central Vietnam. They are highly territorial and spend most of their time in the water or basking in the sun. They are more active during the Australian summer and tend to spend more time in the water at this time.
Saltwater crocodiles are protected in all Australian states and territories where they are found, including Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. They play an important role in the mythology of Indigenous Australians, with the Larrakia people regarding themselves as crocodile descendants.
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Australian crocodiles' diet varies with the season
The diet of Australian crocodiles varies with the season and their age. During the dry season, saltwater crocodiles move downstream to estuaries and sometimes live in the open sea. They feed on crustaceans, insects, amphibians, and small species of fish and reptiles. They also eat larger prey, such as feral pigs, water buffalo, wild boar, goats, and cattle.
During the wet season, saltwater crocodiles move to freshwater bodies, inhabiting swamps and rivers. They are more active and likely to spend more time in the water during the Australian summer. Their diet during this season is not well documented but likely includes similar foods to those consumed in the dry season.
Young Australian crocodiles, or hatchlings, feed on crickets and grasshoppers. Larger young eat dead baby mice and chopped adult mice. As they grow, they primarily feed on small prey such as insects, amphibians, and small fish and reptiles.
Freshwater crocodiles have a similar diet to their saltwater counterparts, eating a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey, including crustaceans, insects, spiders, fish, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds, and mammals. Insects and fish are the most common food items, with larger crocodiles eating larger prey.
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Frequently asked questions
Australian crocodiles are carnivorous and their diet varies with age and type. Freshwater crocodiles eat a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey, including crustaceans, insects, spiders, fishes, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds and mammals. On the other hand, saltwater crocodiles prey on ground-living birds, water birds, swift-flying birds, bats, wading birds, turtles, flying foxes, hares, rodents, badgers, otters, wallabies, water buffalo, cattle, crabs, and even humans.
Freshwater crocodiles tend to eat smaller prey, with insects being the most common food item, followed by fish. Saltwater crocodiles, on the other hand, are larger and eat bigger prey, including various birds, mammals, and other reptiles.
Yes, larger crocodiles, including both freshwater and saltwater varieties, may exhibit cannibalistic behaviour by preying on smaller individuals or hatchlings. Additionally, saltwater crocodiles are nocturnal hunters, preferring to hunt at night and spend the daytime moving through water or sunbathing.
The availability of prey and environmental conditions play a role in the diet of Australian crocodiles. For example, during the dry season, saltwater crocodiles are more likely to be found downstream at estuaries, which can influence their food sources. Human activities, such as hunting and changes in aquatic prey populations, have also impacted the dietary habits of crocodiles in Australia.
In captivity, the diet of Australian crocodiles, particularly during their juvenile stages, may include crickets, grasshoppers, and dead mice.
