Saltwater Crocodile - Crocodylus porosus

[Supercommunist]

On the topic of the size of crocodiles.

nypost.com/2014/04/06/officials-capture-one-ton-crocodile-that-ate-4-men/

I think the main reason that we don't see more one ton crocodiles swimming around is because most of them aren't able to live until the end of their growth.

[Vodmeister]

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_largest_reptiles

[Ceratodromeus]

Predation of an Adult Malaysian Water monitor Varanus salvator macromaculatus by an Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus
"Widely distributed throughout Southern and Southeast Asia and the Indo-pacific, Asian water monitors belonging to the Varanus salvator species complex are large lizards, reaching total lengths (TL) of up to 3.2 m (Randow, 1932), but usually ranging between 1.4 and 2.3 m as adults (Gaulke & Horn, 2004; Horn & Gaulke, 2004). Some natural predators of V. salvator have been identified (e.g., Twedie, 1954; De Lisle, 2008), but very few have specifically documented predation on larger adult individuals (Goldthorpe et al., 2010; Siler et al., 2011). In this brief communication, we describe a case of predation on an adult V. salvator macromaculatus by a saltwater crocodile, Crocodylus porosus observed at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve, Singapore. Study Site Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve is a 130 hectare coastal reserve located in northwestern Singapore. The reserve is largely dominated by mangroves and mudflats formed by the bunds of former prawn ponds, with a rear fringe of freshwater ponds and marshes. Public pathways provide direct access to some of these areas for wildlife viewing and photography. Apart from serving as a vital stopover point for migratory birds along the East Asian-Australasian f lyway, the reserve is a refuge for many locally threatened species such as smooth coated otters, shore pit vipers, and mud lobsters. Since at least 2005 (M.N., pers. obs.), estuarine crocodiles, C. porosus, have been regularly spotted in Sungei Buloh Besar- the main waterway running through the reserve which empties into the Straits of Johor, particularly during rising tides. It is unclear, though, whether these animals originate from swamps across the straits or are escapees from nearby crocodile farms. A large and conspicuous population of V. salvator macromaculatus is present at Sungei Buloh Wetland Reserve (e.g., Rashid, 2004; Rashid & Diong, 1999; Kiat, 2007). Despite heavy human foot traffic, monitors are frequently observed in the reserve’s mangroves and waterways including Sungei Buloh Besar, along pathways, and around the reserve’s visitor’s center. Specimens of all size classes can usually be seen during a single day’s visit, with sub-adults and adults reaching 2-2.5 m in total length (TL) usually basking and foraging in open areas and waterways (Fig. 1), and hatchlings and juveniles seeking refuge in, and peering out from tree hollows and crevices (Fig. 2). Observations While visiting the reserve for general nature photography, a predation event involving an estuarine crocodile and a water monitor was observed by the senior author and several companions on 15 January 2011 (Fig. 3). A commotion was heard in the water below the pedestrian bridge that spans Sungei Buloh Besar around 1220 h, which turned out to be a C. porosus (ca. 2.8-3 m TL) with a V. salvator macromaculatus (ca. 1.2- 1.5 m TL) in its jaws, located about 2 m from the riverbank. The initial attack was not witnessed, but it is likely that the crocodile had seized the lizard as the latter foraged close to the shore or in the water. The crocodile had the upper torso of the monitor seized in its jaws, while it futilely attempted to lash its tail against the crocodile and use its rear limbs to free itself. For the next 10-15 min, the crocodile did not move much, apart from submerging itself every other minute, while the lizard struggled to keep its head above water. After submerging and then disappearing from sight, it resurfaced about 20-25 m upstream from the bridge. Here, it began to process its catch, raising its head and using its jaws to manoeuvre the lizard until it had a grip on its lower torso. At this point the lizard was still very much alive, though it had stopped struggling much and severe wounds and exposed viscera could be seen whenever it was lifted in the air. The crocodile then began to violently thrash the lizard by raising its head and upper body in the air before twisting around rapidly. It repeated this motion every few minutes until it had the lizard’s head in its grip and there was no visible fight left in it. When a second, smaller crocodile surfaced nearby, the larger animal submerged itself and was not seen again. Consumption of the lizard was not observed. Total observation time was ca. 45 min. Discussion Water monitors of the V. salvator species complex and estuarine crocodiles co-occur in many coastal areas of Southeast Asia and the Indo-pacific. Considering that C. porosus is an opportunistic predator capable of taking large prey, it is not surprising that V. salvator, including adult individuals, fall victim to crocodiles in coastal environments. Although reticulated pythons, Python reticulatus (De Lisle, 2007), king cobras, Ophiophagus hannah (Siler et al., 2011), and smooth coated otters, Lutrogale perspicillata (Goldthorpe et al., 2010) are known to prey on adult water monitors, C. porosus may represent the only significant predator aside from humans that is capable of taking adult V. salvator in coastal mangrove environments, and may therefore play a significant role in limiting their population sizes in these areas."


Reference: pp. 34-38 © 2012 by International Varanid Interest Group Predation of an Adult Malaysian Water monitor Varanus salvator macromaculatus by an Estuarine Crocodile Crocodylus porosus MARCUS NG AND ROBERT W. MENDYK

[Ceratodromeus]

In regards to large prey taken,
(From Vertebrate carnivores and predation in the oriental region)

Was previously unaware of juvies taking such proportionately large prey

[Ceratodromeus]

Eyes Bigger than Stomach: Prey Caching and Retrieval in the Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus porosus
'Some animals store surplus food for later consumption (reviewed in Smith and Reichman, 1984; Vander Wall, 1990). For example, herbivores such as squirrels cache nuts for consumption during winter when food is less abundant (Smith and Follmer 1972). Long-term caching is possible for carnivores in cold climates, but predators can cache prey for several days in any climate. For example, leopards cache prey in trees to reduce competition from other scavengers (Kruuk 1972). Prey caching in carnivores is known for felids, hyenas, canids, bears, mustelids, shrews, birds of prey, and seals (Ingram 1942; Kim et al. 2005; Kruuk, 1972; McCord 1974; Michener 2000; Oksanen 1983; Phillips et al. 1990; Schaefer et al. 2007; Smith and Reichman 1984). The general explanation for this behavior is that a predator caches when its prey is too large to consume in one feeding bout (Smith and Reichman 1984), although surplus killing of smaller prey may also occur when predators are already satiated (Kruuk 1972; Oksanen et al. 1985). Crocodilians are capable of killing prey much larger than their stomachs, and Webb and Manolis (1989) report that Saltwater Crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) cache their recent kills underwater or in mangroves. Crocodylus porosus is a large crocodilian inhabiting rivers, estuaries, and swamps from northern Australia through to southeast Asia and eastern India (Webb and Manolis 1989). Like other crocodiles it is a generalist carnivore, feeding on a variety of invertebrates, fi sh, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals (Taylor 1979; Webb and Manolis 1989; Webb et al. 1991). Larger individuals are known to capture medium to large terrestrial prey such as wallabies, cattle, and water buffalo (Doody et al. 2007; Pye 1976; Shield 1994; Webb and Manolis 1989). Crocodylus porosus is relatively common in the Daly River, Northern Territory, Australia, where in recent years we have studied anti-predator behavior in Agile Wallabies, Macropus agilis, in response to the threat of crocodile predation (Doody et al. 2007; Steer 2007). During the dry seasons (May–October) of 2001–2007 my colleagues and I made a number of observations of prey caching by crocodiles in freshwater reaches between Oolloo Crossing (14.005ºS, 131.2402778°E) and Daly River Township (13.7747222°S, 130.7211111°E). We located crocodile kills via boat. Our evidence for kills was generally indirect or circumstantial (e.g., wallabies with missing heads or limbs, or with obvious crocodile bite marks). These kills were considered to be caches when there was evidence of manipulation by crocodiles (e.g., carcasses placed above water on snags, or on riverbanks with associated crocodile tracks). Cache retrieval was documented opportunistically using remote camera systems. I used Trailmaster® camera systems, which consist of an infrared emitter box, a receiver with LED, and a 35mm camera. The system was employed such that a crocodile retrieving a carcass would break the infrared beam, triggering the camera mounted above. Herein, I summarize the fi ndings and discuss a previously unpublished behavior in crocodiles—above-water prey caching. I also report a possible case of surplus killing in C. porosus associated with prey caching. Thirty-eight prey caches of C. porosus were discovered during 2001–2007, including mammals, reptiles, a fi sh, and a bird (Table 1). The most common prey item cached was the Agile Wallaby (Macropus agilis), for which 28 carcasses were found. Individuals were usually found fl oating, either at the river’s edge or lodged on woody snags, but in eight instances wallabies were dragged onto the riverbank (Fig. 1). For example, in 2001 an adult female wallaby carcass was found 5 m up a steep sand bank and footprints and marks in the sand revealed that the carcass had been dragged there by a large (~3 m) crocodile. I employed a camera system just below the carcass in an attempt to photograph the crocodile returning, but the carcass was dragged further up the slope by unknown predators, possibly dingos. However, in the same year, a camera system did reveal a ~3 m crocodile returning for a wallaby cache (Fig. 1). The carcass was found the previous day at the river’s edge with puncture wounds to the neck and head, and I employed a camera trap that afternoon. The crocodile retrieved the carcass at 0440 h the following morning (Fig. 1). Two days later I discovered the carcass of a Northern Quoll (Dasyurus hallicatus) on a nearby vegetated riverbank, 2 m from the river. Crocodile tracks in the sand suggested that a ~3 m crocodile had cached the quoll. I employed a camera system that afternoon, and a crocodile retrieved the carcass at 0537 h the next morning (Fig. 2). Interestingly, the quoll was found < 100 m from where the abovementioned wallaby had been killed, cached, and retrieved, suggesting that the same crocodile was responsible for both kills. This could explain why such a small prey item was cached rather than immediately consumed. Other mammals found cached were Water Buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), one of which was found fl oating but lodged against a snag, with obvious ‘towing’ teeth marks at the base of the tail, and a feral pig, in which a front quarter was lodged on a snag just above water. Reptile caches found were snakes and turtles (Table 1). A Pig-nosed Turtle (Carettochelys insculpta) cache with crocodile teeth marks was located on a snag just above the water. A Black-headed Python (Aspidites melanocephalus) was cached on a riverbank next to tracks of a ~2.5 m crocodile (the carcass was gone the next day). A an adult Water Python (Liasis fuscus) carcass with crocodile teeth puncture marks was also found cached on a snag in water (Fig. 2; D. Steer, pers. comm.). The snake was gone the next day. A Freshwater Crocodile (Crocodylus johnstoni) was found cached on a snag in water. The carcass had clear crocodile bite marks on its body and was attended by a 2.5 m C. porosus. The next day the carcass was half its previous size, missing the head and two limbs. The single fi sh cache was a ~1 m long Bull Shark (Carcharhinus leucas) found on a riverbank in 2001. A 4.5 m crocodile was observed several times at this exact location, which was a fl at, muddy area with abundant cover provided by a fallen tree. The single bird cache was a Great-billed Heron (Ardea sumatrana) found on a riverbank and attended by a 4 m crocodile in 2006. The crocodile was sighted at the same location the next day, but the cache was gone. Prey caching by carnivores often occurs when predators kill prey too large to consume in one feeding bout (McDonald 1976; Smith and Reichman 1984). For example, Bobcats (Lynx rufus) cache White-tailed Deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and return to the carcass for further feeding (Labisky and Boulay 1998; McCord 1974). Similarly, C. porosus apparently cached and recovered a wallaby and a quoll (Fig. 1). It is important to distinguish between caching a carcass vs. simply returning to a carcass to feed. Although in a few cases fl oating carcasses could have lodged themselves against snags, many were clearly placed above, or partly above water (Table 1; Fig. 1; Fig. 2). Thus, at least some C. porosus kills were manipulated, presumably to facilitate further feeding and reduce the probability of competition. It is likely that other crocodilian species cache their food, especially large species and those known to capture prey too large to consume in one feeding.



Herpetological review(2009)

[Ceratodromeus]

Unexpected lower testosterone in faster growing farmed saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) hatchlings

Abstract

Agricultural production of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is an emergent industry in northern

Australia with many of the factors affecting production remaining unknown. In this study, we sought

to expand upon our previous findings of reference corticosterone and immune function by reporting

baseline sex hormone levels [testosterone (TEST) and estradiol (ESTR)] and their association with growth.

This was achieved by sampling 253 hatchling crocodiles repeatedly at 3, 6, and 9 months of age. Sampling

age had a significant effect on both TEST (p < 0.001) and ESTR (p < 0.001) suggesting climatic/abiotic factors

have an influence even in prepubescent crocodiles. Stress, as measured by plasma corticosterone, had

no detectable effect on plasma ESTR or TEST levels. Unexpectedly however, TEST was higher in slower growing

crocodiles, which is contrary to what has been reported for the American alligator. ESTR was

not associated with growth.


link to study

[Ceratodromeus]

Born to be bad: agonistic behaviour in hatchling saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus)
Abstract
Detailed observations on groups of captive saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) hatchlings revealed
sporadic periods of intense agonistic interactions, with 16 highly distinctive behaviours, in
the morning (06:00–08:00 h) and evening (17:00–20:00 h) in shallow water. Ontogenetic changes
in agonistic behaviour were quantified by examining 18 different groups of hatchlings, six groups
each at 1 week, 13 weeks and 40 weeks after hatching. Agonistic interactions between hatchlings at
1 week of age (mean 7.3 ± 0.65/night) were not well-defined and varied in intensity (low, medium,
high), number of individuals that were aggressive, and the outcome, while most interactions involved
contact (94.5%). There were also clutch specific differences in the frequency of agonistic
interactions. At 13 and 40 weeks, a more hierarchal dominance relationship appeared to be established
which primarily involved aggression–submission interactions. Agonistic interactions were
more frequent (13 weeks 9.7 ± 0.61/night; 40 weeks 22.2 ± 0.61/night) and intense (medium,
high), but shorter in duration, in which the subordinate individual fled in response to an approach
by a dominant animal that often gave chase but did not make contact. While the full repertoire
of behaviour was displayed by hatchlings at 1 week of age, a smaller subset based on dominance
status was displayed among 13- and 40-week-old hatchlings. Agonistic behaviour occurs in C.
porosus shortly after hatching and is important in establishing and maintaining dominance hierarchies
that are characterised by aggression–submission interactions. This type of interaction appears
typical for C. porosus both in the wild and in captivity, and may be important in preventing serious
injury in a species equipped with formidable armoury. Dispersal by hatchling C. porosus at around
13 weeks of age appears to be driven by a growing intolerance of conspecifics, while territoriality
is apparent at an early age. Consequently, agonistic behaviour and social status may be major
contributors to the observed differences in growth rates and survival in captivity.

"Of the extant crocodilians, saltwater crocodiles (C. porosus) are considered
the most aggressive and least tolerant of conspecifics (Lang, 1987). Yet
in the immediate post-hatching period (first few weeks), hatchling C. porosus
exist in nest-specific crèches, that may be joined by hatchlings from other
nearby crèches (Webb et al., 1977). They undertake group activities, such as
crossing rivers together, and hatchlings appear to exhibit high levels of tolerance
to each other (Webb et al., 1977). Agonistic behaviour and social
dominance may be responsible for hatchling C. porosus eventually dispersing
from crèches by 2–3 months (8–12 weeks) of age in the wild (Webb &
Messel, 1978). If so, in captive situations, where the ability of hatchlings to
disperse is limited, agonistic behaviour may be implicated in social structuring
within a group, creating the high variability in individual growth rates
reported (Onions, 1987; Webb et al., 1987; Webb & Smith, 1987; Mayer,
1998; Isberg et al., 2009). This in turn has been implicated in the 10–40%
of C. porosus hatchlings that do not survive (Webb et al., 1987; Isberg et
al., 2009). By 1–2 years of age, agonistic behaviour in C. porosus is reportedly
well established both in the wild (Messel et al., 1981) and in captivity
(Bustard & Maharana, 1983; Lang, 1987). However, the situation that exists
within the first year of life is largely unknown, with only one unpublished
study (Riese, 1991) reporting agonistic behaviour among hatchling C. porosus
in captivity."

Link to study

[Ceratodromeus]

a novel fishing behavior





www.academia.edu/4464354/Crocodylus_porosus_Saltwater_Crocodile_._Fishing_behavior

[Ceratodromeus]

Here is a neat video of a saltie 'playing' with a ball. noted in the article Play behavior in crocodilians ( Vladamir Dinets)




This animal has reportedly been doing this for years with the same ball.

[Ceratodromeus]

On terrestrial hunting by crocodilians
"Crocodilians are generally considered to
be specialised predators hunting in the water
or at the water edge (Neil, 1971). Their terrestrial
activities such as nesting, migrating, aestivating/
hibernating and basking are well known and
documented in most overviews of crocodilian
biology. Despite abundant anecdotal evidence
of terrestrial hunting (mostly in the form of
scary campfire stories), this aspect of crocodilian
behaviour has never been studied nor scientifically
described. Observations made during a study of
crocodilians in the wild in 2006-2010, mostly on
American alligator (Alligator mississippiensis),
Nile crocodile (Crocodylus niloticus), and to
a lesser extent on other species, suggest that
terrestrial hunting may be more common than
previously thought."

"In August 2009, local residents in a suburb of
Sorong (West Papua Province, Indonesia) reported
that a dog had been taken during previous night by
a large saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus)
from a trail 25 m from the water edge. The witnesses
claimed that the dog had been following a group of
people, who passed by the crocodile and did not
notice the reptile until it attacked the dog""

dinets.info/Pages%20from%20Bulletin%20114%20Dinets.pdf

[Ceratodromeus]

Saltwater crocodiles are the leading cause of death as well as non lethal attacks on humans in the Republic of Indonesia, being attributed to 90+% of all attacks.

An Analysis of Recent Crocodile Attacks in the Republic of Indonesia - a Case Study on the Utility of the CrocBITE Database
"As the country with the highest number of recent attack reports and very little crocodile population data,
Indonesia is a perfect example of how CrocBITE can be used as a tool to help inform crocodilian
conservation and management. Indonesia is a large, heavily populated nation composed of 34 provinces
over an archipelago of 17,508 islands. There are currently four recognized crocodilian species in Indonesia
- Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Siamese crocodile (C. siamensis), New Guinea freshwater
crocodile (C. novaeguineae) and Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii). Between 1 January 2007 and 6 June
2014 we recorded 279 crocodilian attacks resulting in 139 deaths in 27 of the 34 provinces. Attack reports
were acquired almost entirely from online news reports, the vast majority of which were reported solely in
the Indonesian language. The majority of attacks and deaths were attributed to C. porosus (268 attacks
resulting in 135 deaths), while T. schlegelii was responsible for a small number of attacks and deaths (10
attacks resulting in 4 deaths); a single non-fatal attack was attributed to C. siamensis. The information
derived from these attacks provides us with important information regarding human-crocodile conflict
within Indonesia and which problem areas likely require greater attention.
Introduction
Indonesia is a very large, heavily populated tropical archipelago nation covering over 1.9 million square
kilometres and consisting of 17,508 islands over 34 provinces. The current human population of Indonesia
is over 253 million people and covers a large number of ethnic groups speaking over 700 different languages
(The World Factbook). There are currently four recognized crocodilian species present within the country
- Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), Siamese crocodile (C. siamensis), New Guinea freshwater
crocodile (C. novaeguineae) and Tomistoma (Tomistoma schlegelii). The worldwide crocodilian attack
database (CrocBITE/www.crocodile-attack.info) has allowed us to examine current and historical
crocodilian attack reports. Historical attack reports suggest a much wider distribution for crocodilians in
Indonesia during historic times than today. Our more recent attack data, combined with relevant
publications regarding population status, suggest that crocodilians are still present throughout the lowlands
of Sumatra, Kalimantan (Borneo), Sulawesi, Papua, and many of the smaller islands. On Java the only
recent records of attacks on humans have come from western Banten province near Ujung Kulon National
Park. The large size and number of islands present within Indonesia, combined with the numerous different
ethnic groups present and widely varying infrastructure throughout parts of the archipelago, makes the
obtaining of crocodilian attack records quite difficult. In addition, nearly all attacks that are reported by the
media never go beyond the local Indonesian language news services.
Methods
Nearly all of the attack records we have obtained from Indonesia came from online news articles that were
mostly reported locally and exclusively in the Indonesian language. We used online search engines to find
attack reports; important search terms for finding attacks included “buaya diterkam” (“crocodile pounced”),
“buaya dimangsa” (“eaten by crocodile”), etc. Online translation tools were then used to translate the
articles into the English language. Most of these Indonesian attack articles provided detailed location
specifics, including river (“sungai”), village (“desa”), sub-district (“kecamatan”) and regency
(“kabupaten”). Attack location was usually limited to waterbody and precise location was rarely known,
thus the coordinates used for the attack location specify the general area in which the attack may have
occurred. Some articles even provided information on which species may have been responsible, which
was particularly useful in areas where the determination of the responsible species was difficult (eg nonfatal
attacks in far inland areas); “buaya muara” (which translates to “estuary crocodile”) referred to C.
porosus, while “buaya supit” (which translates to “chopstick crocodile”) referred to T. schlegelii. In most
cases however, C. porosus was the obvious culprit given habitat type or location; in addition, in most areas
C. porosus is the only species known to be present. The details of the attack were then entered into an Excel
database before being transferred to the online CrocBITE database and publically displayed. Historical
attack data (19th Century through to the mid-20th Century) came from news archives of the Dutch East
Indies in the Dutch language. The historical data is significantly more limited and less accurate than the
modern data, but has nonetheless provided interesting information. There is a noticeable blind-spot in our
data from 1960 through 2000, likely due to Indonesian language news archives from this period not being
available.
Results
Historical attack data for Indonesia is very limited and sporadic, but so far we have been able to find 131
attacks resulting in 76 deaths dating from 1854 to 1957. New historical reports are consistently found and
put into the CrocBITE database. While the historical data is too sparse to providing any useful analysis of
historic attack trends, it does provide us with details on the historical distribution of crocodiles (primarily
C. porosus) within Indonesia and attack frequency in highly-populated areas from which crocodiles have
been extirpated in modern times. Historically, attacks were frequently reported from Java, including within
the major cities of Jakarta, Semerang and Surabaya. Attacks were also frequently reported from North
Sumatra (particularly around Tanjung Balai, where a ban on bathing was reportedly considered during the
mid-1930s) and from within the city of Banjarmasin, South Kalimantan. Inland records also suggest a much
wider historic distribution of crocodiles in portions of Indonesia than in the present day- attacks were
reported from North Sumatra in the Batang Gadis Marsh, an inland valley south of Padang Sidempuan, and
from near Pematang Siantar, approximately 33 km east of Lake Toba.
Modern attack reports are, however, much more numerous and useful. For 1 January 2007 to 6 June 2014
we recorded 279 crocodilian attacks resulting in 139 deaths (49.8% fatality rate); the more numerous reports
are from the years 2010 through 2014 and this is likely due to the disappearance of media reports from the
internet (we didn't start collecting data until October of 2010), rather than an actual increase in the numbers
of attacks. Unsurprisingly, the majority of attacks (96.1%) and deaths (97.1%) were attributed to C. porosus,
while a small number were also attributed to T. schlegelii (10 attacks resulting in 4 deaths) and a single
non-fatal attack was attributed to C. siamensis. Attacks were only attributed to T. schlegelii under specific
circumstances, including if (in a fatal attack) the victim's remains were recovered from the Tomistoma, if
(in a non-fatal attack) the species was positively identified by the victim or if crocodile specialists with
knowledge of the attack location or circumstances suggested that the attack was more indicative of T.
schlegelii than C. porosus. The single non-fatal C. siamensis incident may have been a case of unintentional
provocation by the victim (Agata Staniewicz, pers. comm.). No attacks were attributed to C. novaeguineae,
although it is possible that attacks did occur, as no attack information for any species is available from the
mainland portions of Papua and West Papua where C. novaeguineae is present. Skins larger than 3.5 m in
length for this species are apparently “regularly reported” from the Sepik River region in neighboring Papua
New Guinea (Cox 2010), thus the species certainly grows large enough to represent a potential danger to
humans.
Specific provinces and regencies have been the site of high levels of attack frequency. The province with
the highest number of reports was East Kalimantan with 40 attacks resulting in 25 deaths, the majority of
these reports came from Kutai Kartanegara regency (eg Mahakam River Delta, Santan River) and East
Kutai regency (eg Bengalon River, Sangatta River). It is worth mentioning that the number of attacks
reported from East Kalimantan has dropped during the past 2 years. The province of South Sumatra had
reports of 27 attacks resulting in 20 deaths; the majority of these attacks (85.2%) and deaths (90%) were
reported from the Banyuasin regency. The eastern Lesser Sunda Islands province of East Nusa Tenggara
had reports of 28 attacks resulting in 14 deaths; the majority of these attacks were reported from Kupang
regency (West Timor) and Lembata regency (Lembata Island). Other provinces with high attack report
frequency were Riau (25 attacks resulting in 12 deaths), Bangka-Belitung (33 attacks resulting in 11 deaths),
Lampung (19 attacks resulting in 9 deaths), Central Kalimantan, and West Kalimantan (each reporting 12
attacks resulting in 7 deaths).
In addition to providing important information on human-crocodile conflict, the Indonesian portion of the
CrocBITE database has also revealed some very interesting recent species distribution records through the
reporting of attacks. The current distribution of C. porosus within Indonesia is poorly known, thus such
distribution reports provide useful information. It is unclear if attacks in an area signify a resident crocodile
population or itinerant animals and all reports presumably involve C. porosus. The small island of Lembata
lies approximately 40 km to the east of Flores Island and approximately 100 km northwest of Timor in East
Nusa Tenggara Province. From December 2011 through June 2014 8 crocodile attacks resulting in 4 deaths
were reported from Lembata’s coastal estuaries and beaches. The attack reports suggested that the locals
were familiar with crocodiles and viewed them with reverence in much the same way as the Timorese. A
single fatal attack was also reported from Flores Island itself, specifically at Lembor in West Manggarai
regency in western Flores. Only one non-fatal attack was reported from the western Lesser Sunda Islands
province of West Nusa Tenggara. This report came from Woja in Dompu regency on Sumbawa Island. The
Riau Islands province had non-fatal attack reports from Great Karimun Island and Bintan Island (both near
Singapore), as well as from Lingga Island to the south. Interesting inland attack reports came from
Tugumulyo and Purwodadi in the Musi Rawas regency of South Sumatra (approximately 500 km upriver)
and the Kuantan Singingi regency of Riau (approximately 375 km upriver); later news reports warning of
the crocodile danger in Musi Rawas stated that the crocodile involved was "buaya muara" (C. porosus).
Of the 249 attacks in which the sex of the victim was provided, males comprised the majority of victims
(77.3%) and deaths (79.1%) within Indonesia. The most common activities associated with attacks were
fishing (36.8%), bathing (17.6%) and swimming (14.7%). Fishing activities were defined as any activity
where the victim was intentionally attracting or catching fish in the attack area (eg placing/retrieving
fishing/shrimp nets, collecting clams or crabs, etc.) since such activities may have caused the crocodile to
be attracted to the area. Bathing activities included ritual washings (ablutions), washing faces/feet, etc. and
swimming activities included diving for shells, snorkeling, etc. The highest number of attack victims were
in the 11-20 year old, 31-40 year old and 41-50 year old age groups, while the highest fatality rates came
from the 1-10 year old and 11-20 year old (children and teenagers) age groups.
In some portions of Indonesia the killing of crocodiles in retaliation to attacks appears to be a problem. In
recent years there have been numerous reports from Bangka Island of C. porosus of all size classes being
killed following attacks on humans. On Bangka Island many of these attacks occurred in tin mines and on
tin mine workers. In some attack reports from various parts of Indonesia local residents suggested that
crocodile attacks did not occur or were rare prior to the destruction of crocodile habitat within the region
(in many cases reportedly to make way for oil palm plantations, timber or mining).
Discussion
In the future we hope to find better regional contacts within portions of Indonesia; the country is so large
and diverse (ethnically, geographically, etc.) that contacts for particular regions within the country would
be very helpful. Of particular importance would be the provinces of Papua and West Papua, from which we
335
have no attack data, and from the Maluku Islands, from which we have limited attack data. We also plan
on seeking funding for localized human-crocodile conflict surveys in hot-spot regions; these surveys would
include interviews/questionnaires with local people, visiting attack sites, determining the level to which
attacks may go unreported, localized surveys for crocodile presence, etc. Similar surveys have been
conducted by the Madras Crocodile Trust in the Maharashtra state of India (Whitaker 2007) and Little
Andaman Island of the Andaman & Nicobar Islands (Whitaker 2008).
Link to article

[Ceratodromeus]

Old paper(Greer 1974) making a decent case for the flawed 33ft figure based on skull length, Boulenger's 10m monster was likely less than 6m in total length!



Keep in mind this was far before Lolong was captured and measured, but this is a pretty interesting read.

[Ceratodromeus]

A ~4.3m nuisance male from the Northern Territory of Australia said to be eating cattle

I'm rather happy to see it was put into a breeding program over being slaughtered.

[Ceratodromeus]

Absolutely massive Sri Lanka saltie
Giant crocodile is rescued after getting stuck in a flooded canal while hunting for food

• The 17-foot-long croc, weighing nearly a ton, got jammed in a waterway
  
• Wildlife officials and villagers in Sri Lanka came to its rescue on Monday
  
• They pushed the crocodile back into a river using a digger and a tractor
  

"Sri Lankan wildlife department officials rescued one of the largest crocodiles ever seen on the island after it got stuck in a canal while looking for food.

The reptile found in the southern city of Matara was believed to weigh close to a ton and measured 17 feet long, local media reported.

'We found a similar size crocodile four, five months back in the Polathumodrara river. This is the maximum these type of crocodiles grow,' said environmentalist Uppala Jayatissa.

The reptile was found on Monday stuck in a canal leading to the Nilawala River which flows across the district.

It was reported that the crocodile was searching for food after water levels rose due to heavy rain.


'With the help of the villagers and the police we achieved what we wanted which was to send the crocodile back to where he came from without hurting him in any way,' said wildlife department official, Ravindra Kumar.

'The reptile was too big to move out of here on its own.'

The giant reptile was pushed back into the river with the help of a JCB digger and a tractor with a trailer.





www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3920750/Giant-crocodile-rescued-getting-stuck-flooded-canal-hunting-food.html#ixzz4Pc7xgs00

[Ceratodromeus]

Why did the crocodile cross the Captain Cook Highway south of Port Douglas?

"A motorist who encountered a crocodile trying to cross the highway south of Port Douglas claims police did not believe him when he called them to remove the errant reptile from the road.

Clifton Beach resident Clint Hastie was driving home from Cooktown, via the Captain Cook Highway, on Monday night when he found two cars at a standstill at Wangetti Beach about 10.30pm.
Much to his surprise, there was a 2m long saltwater crocodile crawling across the highway.

“I just kind of saw one car pulled to the side, and another pulled over to the other side, and I’ve pulled up right in front of this croc, and just went ‘wow’,” Mr Hastie said.
“There were cars coming the other way, so I flashed my lights to prevent them from hitting it, and letting it get off the road.”

He watched the croc crawl into bushes near Hartleys Creek.
Mr Hastie, who is a refrigeration mechanic, continued south until he was within range for mobile phone service, and contacted the police as he did not know who else to ring at that time of night, to remove the animal.

“I called the cops, and they had a bit of a giggle, they didn’t believe me,” he said.
“So I said ‘I’m serious’'

“I said I was more worried about someone going for an early morning jaunt and getting grabbed, if it was hiding in the bush.
“I was actually more concerned about the crocodile, though, making sure it didn’t get hit.”
A Queensland Police Service spokesman said the service did not have any record of a call-out to the scene."
www.cairnspost.com.au/why-did-the-crocodile-cross-the-captain-cook-highway-south-of-port-douglas/news-story/33313254be596ca46c84ea8d53594738