The clouds are gathering and the rains are hopefully coming soon which should be a reminder to all of us that we must Be Crocwise at all times in the Top End.
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Crocs are important for the Top End environment, they are a cornerstone of the cultural practise of many Territorians and they provide an important and sustainable resource for the Territory economy through the tourism industry and croc farming.
Salties were once hunted almost to extinction across the Top End of Australia. Luckily the protection of salties has been successful, but as a result they are now returning to areas where they haven't been seen for many years.
Saltwater crocodiles can live in salt and fresh water. They use special glands to excrete salt from their bodies and can live in salt water their whole lives.
Salties have been seen swimming strongly a hundred kilometres out to sea and are as happy there as they are scooting around the beaches and into the salt water reaches of our major rivers.
Saltwater crocodiles are as happy in freshwater rivers and billabongs as they are in coastal estuaries and in the open ocean. It doesn't matter how big or small, how shallow or deep, as long as there is water, salties can make use of it.
Like all our regional rivers, the Katherine River feeds into the Daly River which leads directly into Anson Bay and out into the Timor Sea.
Saltwater crocodiles use these rivers and all our inland waterways as highways. Strong swimmers, salties can travel along rivers for many kilometres over a twenty-four hour period and regularly turn up in places that may have been free of crocodiles the previous day.
Saltwater crocodiles are thought to be more territorial than many other crocodilians and although male crocs are normally willing to share space with female crocs, they will drive away any rival males.
This means that a male crocodile may have to travel many kilometres in search of territory to claim as their own.
Saltwater crocodiles breed in the Wet season when water levels are at their highest. While salties move around constantly throughout the year, they are often very active over the hotter months as they search for mates and a place to live.
Always remember to Be Crocwise when you are around any Top End waterway. No matter how big or small, any body of water has the potential to contain a saltwater crocodile.
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