Saltwater+Crocodile

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** Saltwater Crocodile ** //(Crocodylus porosus)// //Meaning " pebble worm", referring to the appearance of a crocodile ( Crocodylus) and "full of callosities", referring to the rugose and bumpy upper surface of the snout in large adults //



** Description **
The saltwater crocodile is the largest living reptile on the planet. The average female can grow up to 4 meters long and 5 meters for a male but can grow up to 7 meters I length. Saltwater crocodiles are also quite heavy, with an average of 450 kg in weight. It is a carnivore and has an average lifespan of 70 years. These reptiles are colored in a green, greyish color with armor-like skin. It has a large head, huge jaws, strong body muscles and a powerful tail. Along with its other members of the Crocodylidia family, saltwater crocodiles possess an extremely strong immune system. Crocodiles have been known to have entire limbs torn off during a fight but still survive infections in the bacteria infested swamps. It is also known as the animal which is most likely to attack a human.


 * Environment habitat **

__Distribution__

The saltwater crocodile can be found in in various areas around the southern regions of Asia. It mainly populates the southern region of Asia and the northern regions of Australia. Large populations of saltwater crocodiles can be found living in the Indian and Bangladesh portions of the Sundarbans. Saltwater crocodiles also thrive in areas in Northern Australia, in river systems near Darwin. Smaller populations also used to roam around the southeastern parts of Asia but have believed to be extinct in that area due to illegal hunting for their priceless, greyish armor-like skin.

__Habitat__

Although the everyday crocodile prefers to live in marshes and mangrove forests, the saltwater crocodile can be found far out in sea, as they are capable of swimming thousands of kilometers. They generally spend the tropical season in freshwater swamps and river, moving down towards the coastline in dry seasons, or sometimes even swimming out into the open ocean.

Crocodiles compete fiercely for territory, as this is a symbol of power in their views. Normally the long, wide stretches of water are occupied by dominant males whereas junior crocodiles are forced to settle in smaller creeks or even out in the ocean. This explains the wide distribution of saltwater crocodiles in the world and why they can be found in odd places such as the Sea of Japan.

__Diet__

The saltwater crocodile feeds on anything it can get its jaws on, including fish, monkeys, birds, water buffaloes or even sharks. Like many hunters, they lurk in the water waiting for a careless animal to stop for a sip of water. When the moment comes it strikes with its huge jaws, bringing the animal under the water and drowning them. The huge jaws of the saltwater crocodile are extremely strong, by far the strongest bite of any animal on earth. The pressure of the bite of an adult can is more than 5000 pounds per square inch, ensuring that any prey will be not being able to escape. With the strong muscles in the upper body, the crocodile will be able to fully collapse on their prey and hold them down without any chance of them escaping to the surface.The crocodile’s long tail is also one of the main weapons to self-defense of hunting. When sensing that it is in danger, the saltwater crocodile will submerge itself under the water, leaving its eyes above to see what is going on. In territorial battles the long tail acts as a tool to stun its enemy, then moving in for the kill with its massive jaws.

__Climate__

The saltwater crocodile is found in the warm climate near the equator, from Sri Lanka and India in the west to the Caroline Islands in the east. In the hotter seasons, the crocodile moves around in the marshes of the forests. As the weather turns colder and less humid, the saltwater crocodile will swim further down towards the coastal regions or sometimes even heading out to open sea. Saltwater crocodiles mate during the wetter seasons of the year (Nov-Mar).

**Adaptations**
__Structural Adaptation 1 - Huge Jaws__ Description & How it helped the animal survive: The saltwater crocodile has the most powerful bite in the world, able to exert more than 2500 pounds of force, ensuring that the prey will not be able to escape. As the saltwater crocodile like to drag its prey into the water, it will need a strong hold on its victim to make sure it doesn’t escape. The jaws are designed to stay closed in the event of a powerful animal trying to break though. That is how the saltwater crocodile is able to take down prey as big as its own size. The jaws also contain evolved sharp teeth for tearing and holding onto the animal’s flesh. Their upper and lower jaws are designed to fit each other perfectly when they close, leaving no room for escape.

Environmental pressure: As its ancestors mainly feed on the large dinosaurs, it will have to have to get a firm grip on its prey in order to make sure it doesn't get away. By having huge jaws and a massive bite-down power it will secure even the largest victim in its jaws.

__Structural Adaption 2 - Powerful Tail__

Description & How it helped the animal survive: As the saltwater crocodile is capable of swimming out into the oceans, it will require good set of features to help it survive. The tail of the crocodile is the size of 49.5% of its whole body length. It is also jagged with sharp spikes to use in self-defense. When swimming, the tail will whip itself back and forth, providing a strong speed boost to the crocodile. However, the tail is most useful in fights. When catching prey at sea, the saltwater crocodile will use its tail to try and stun the target before delivering the killing bite from its jaws. It makes capturing its victim a lot easier, saving the saltwater crocodile from exhausting itself and letting the target get away.

Environmental pressure: Due to the long body and large size of the saltwater crocodile, it will have trouble trying to move around when fighting against other crocodiles. It also needs a secondary weapon to attack its prey when hunting in case the massive jaws of the crocodile fails. Therefore, the tail evolved into a strong, spiked and deadly hunting tool to use for whacking and stunning its prey.

__Behavioral Adaptation 1 - “Death roll” technique__ media type="youtube" key="6ZhHHVsAnI4" height="314" width="382" align="right"

Description & How it helped the animal survive: The saltwater crocodile kills its victims by using the technique known as the “death roll”. The “death roll” is a move the saltwater crocodile uses when killing its prey. It will first grab its victim with its huge jaws, then dragging it in the water. Then the “death roll” takes place. The crocodile rolls multiple times in the water, holding onto its prey with its huge jaws. This usually throws the prey off-balance, leaving it vulnerable to drowning in the water. Other uses for the “death roll” also include trying to tear off other crocodile’s limbs in territorial fights. This technique helps it survive as it allows the saltwater crocodile to take down large prey.

Environmental pressure: As the saltwater crocodile usually attacks prey larger than its own, it will need a good technique for it to injure its prey enough so that it cannot fight back. The "death roll" dates all the way back to its ancestors, as they attack large dinosaurs for food. The technique passed on to the modern crocodiles today.

__Behavioral Adaptation 2 – Homing instinct__

Description & How it helped the animal survive: The saltwater crocodile has an instinct that allows itself to return to its original position, even travelling though unknown lands. Its homing instinct is similar to the homing instinct of the homing pigeon. There has been 3 rouge saltwater crocodiles found traveling 400 kilometers away from Northern Australia, but has returned to their original positions in less than 3 weeks. The homing instinct allows saltwater crocodiles to travel far away to other places in case their original homes are low on food or resources. They will not get lost due to the homing instinct and will return to their habitat lands safely.

Environmental pressure: It is most likely developed when the ancestors of the saltwater crocodile starts to die. Food is scarce around the area and its ancestors have to move to other areas to find food to eat but also have to be able to return to their original habitats. Hence the homing instinct is developed.

__Physiological Adaptation - Strong immune system__

Description & How it helped the animal survive: Like another member from the reptile family, the Komodo Dragon, saltwater crocodiles have an immensely strong immune system. As saltwater crocodiles prefers to live in the highly bacteria infected swamps, their immune system has evolved to suit its needs. It helps them increase their chance of survival against viruses and bacteria greatly. After a territorial battle, the surviving crocodiles might be left with life-threatening wounds, such as entire limbs being ripped off. These reptiles are able to survive these wounds and heal back to full strength even in infectious swamps. The saltwater crocodile’s immune system operates differently from the human immune system. Once an infection occurs, the immune system will attack the microbes directly. It will attach itself to the bacteria and explode, rendering the bacteria useless.

Environmental pressure: As saltwater crocodiles live in the bacteria-infested swamps, they will be open to all sorts of viruses and bacteria when they are wounded. Over long periods of time the immune system of the saltwater crocodile has adapted to the situation and has become much more stronger.

**Scientific classification**

 * **Kingdom** || Animalia ||
 * **Phylum** || Chordata ||
 * **Class** || Reptilia ||
 * **Order** || Crocodylia ||
 * **Family** || Crocodylidae ||
 * **Subfamily** || Crocodylinae ||
 * **Genus** || Crocodylus ||
 * **Species** || **//C. porosus//** ||

Labeled Diagram of a Saltwater Crocodile


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= **Bibliography** =


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 * Australia Fauna. (2006). //Saltwater crocodile. // Retrieved June 25th, 2011, from []
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 * National Geographic Organization. (2011). //Saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus) // . Retrieved June 24th, 2011, from []
 * Talk Medical. (2011). //Crocodile Blood Kills HIV.// Retrieved June 25th, 2011, from []
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