# Freshwater Crocodile (*Crocodylus johnstoni*) The freshwater crocodile is a cool reptile that lives in rivers and lakes. They have a long body and a big smile with lots of sharp teeth, but they mostly like to relax in the sun and swim. - **Category:** [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/reptile) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 4/5 · High - **Habitat:** Wetlands ![Freshwater Crocodile](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/.00_1042_Freshwater_crocodile.jpg&width=800) Photo: W. Bulach, CC BY-SA 4.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:.00_1042_Freshwater_crocodile.jpg) ## Appearance The Freshwater Crocodile is a medium-sized reptile with a very slender snout, perfect for catching fish. It has an olive-brown body with darker bands, which helps it blend into its riverine habitat. Its narrow jaw easily distinguishes it from the broader-snouted Saltwater Crocodile. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Animalia - **Phylum:** Chordata - **Class:** Crocodylia - **Order:** Crocodylia - **Family:** Crocodylidae - **Genus:** Crocodylus ## Interesting facts - Freshwater Crocodiles have excellent night vision, helping them hunt after dark. - These crocs can gallop on land, moving surprisingly fast over short distances! - They build nests in sandy banks, burying their eggs for safety and warmth. - Unlike many crocs, they rarely attack humans, preferring fish and insects. ## Special abilities - **Pressure Sensors:** Freshwater Crocodiles have special sensory organs on their skin that help them detect prey movements in murky water. - **Underwater Endurance:** Freshwater Crocodiles can hold their breath for long periods, helping them stay hidden underwater while ambushing prey. - **Rapid Retreat:** Freshwater Crocodiles can make quick, powerful bursts of speed both in water and on land to escape danger. ## Measurements & details - **Length:** 150-300 cm - **Weight:** 15-70 kg - **Lifespan:** 50-70 years - **Speed:** 15 km/h - **Swim Speed:** 15 km/h - **Clutch Size:** 13-20 - **Incubation:** 65-95 days ## Diet & Feeding These crocs love to snap up fish, frogs, and insects from freshwater habitats! - **Age differences:** Young crocs eat mostly insects; adults focus more on fish and larger prey. - **Primary Foods:** Fish, Frogs, Insects, Crustaceans, Small mammals - **Foraging Method:** Ambush ## Ecological connections - **Hunts:** [Barramundi](https://www.snappit.app/explore/barramundi) (*Lates calcarifer*) — A favorite meal in northern Australian rivers. - **Eats:** [Cane Toad](https://www.snappit.app/explore/cane-toad) (*Rhinella marina*) — Can sometimes eat invasive toads, surprisingly. - **Eaten by:** [Saltwater Crocodile](https://www.snappit.app/explore/saltwater-crocodile) (*Crocodylus porosus*) — Young freshwater crocs are prey for larger saltwater crocs. - **Eaten by:** Yellow-spotted Monitor (*Varanus panoptes*) — Lizards sometimes raid nests for their delicious eggs. ## Traits - [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care. - [Camouflaged](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/camouflaged): Camouflaged describes organisms that possess coloring or patterns that allow them to blend into their environment. - [Ambush Predator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/ambush-predator): An ambush predator hunts by patiently waiting and concealing itself, then launching a sudden attack when unsuspecting prey comes within range. - [Wetland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/wetland): This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs. - [Armored](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/armored): Armored describes animals protected by a hard, external covering or shell for defense. - [Carnivorous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/carnivorous): This trait identifies organisms whose diet consists entirely or primarily of animal tissue. - [Freshwater](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/freshwater): Freshwater habitats include non-saline aquatic environments such as rivers, lakes, ponds, and wetlands, vital for numerous species. - [Keystone Species](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/keystone-species): Describes a species whose presence and role have a disproportionately large effect on its environment. - [Endangered](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/endangered): Endangered status indicates a species is at a very high risk of extinction in the wild in the near future. ## Collections - [Reptiles](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/reptiles) ## Safety **Danger:** 4/5 · High Always stay away from the water's edge where crocodiles might be resting. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify Freshwater Crocodile? Compare scales, body proportions, legs, tail and shell, if there is one. Many reptiles change their look with age, temperature or breeding condition. Reptile Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### How long is Freshwater Crocodile? 150-300 cm ### How much does Freshwater Crocodile weigh? 15-70 kg ### How long does Freshwater Crocodile live? 50-70 years ### How fast can Freshwater Crocodile move? 15 km/h ### What does Freshwater Crocodile eat? These crocs love to snap up fish, frogs, and insects from freshwater habitats! ### How fast can Freshwater Crocodile swim? 15 km/h ### Where is Freshwater Crocodile usually found? Wetlands ## Where to spot - [Aquazoo Löbbecke Museum Düsseldorf](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/aquazoo-lobbecke-museum-dusseldorf) — Nordrhein-Westfalen, DE · Aquarium ## More Reptiles - [Pond Slider](https://www.snappit.app/explore/pond-slider) (*Trachemys scripta*) - [Western Fence Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-fence-lizard) (*Sceloporus occidentalis*) - [Common Five-lined Skink](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-five-lined-skink) (*Plestiodon fasciatus*) - [Desert Spiny Lizard](https://www.snappit.app/explore/desert-spiny-lizard) (*Sceloporus magister*) --- Source: [Freshwater Crocodile: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/freshwater-crocodile)