Check out Australia Zoo’s Freshwater Crocodile!

Don’t miss our fantastic freshwater crocodiles, right here at Australia Zoo. Keep your cameras ready as you might just see them displaying a natural behaviour, called a high walk, where they lift their entire body off the ground to move overland. Crikey, it’s a sight to see!

This species inhabits freshwater environments such as streams, lagoons, rivers and billabongs. They’re distinguished from their cousin, the saltwater crocodile, by their long, slender snout and smaller stature.

Freshwater crocodiles are referred to as ‘hole nesters’ and they will nest during the dry season! To keep her eggs safe from goannas and pigs, she will dig a hole with her back feet in a sandy river bed and lay between 4 and 20 eggs!  For approximately three months, the female will protect the nest from predation, waiting until the eggs begin to hatch. The hatchlings will cry out, alerting the female to break open the nest, where she will then help her babies out and even carry them down to the water. They will stay close to their mother, as she does remain super-protective for some time, allowing the hatchlings to develop further before they head off on their own.

Just like the other 26 species of crocodilian, freshwater crocodiles are carnivores. They will eat a variety of invertebrate and vertebrate prey, including crustaceans, insects, spiders, fish, frogs, turtles, lizards, snakes, birds and small mammals.

Freshwater crocodiles are a protected species and play an important role in balancing the ecosystem!