‍ ‍Crocodylus porosus

Adult Size: The largest of the crocodilians, can reach lengths of 20 feet long and more (6 meters).

Headshape: Triangular shaped snout becoming more rugose with size/age. There are a pair of pre-orbital ridges that run from the eyes all the way to the nostrils (see the arrow on the next page).

Appearance: Range in color from solid black to butter yellow, with white to cream bellies.

Nuchal Clusters: It can easily be identified by the large swath of small scales between the back of the head and the nuchal cluster. No other crocodile has this arrangement. The nuchal pattern is usually 4 x 2 with no large post-occipital scutes, with pebbly skin in the vast space between the head and the nuchal cluster.

Flanks: Small, uniform scales arranged in uniform longitudinal rows.

Other Notes: This is a large crocodile with the largest range of any of the crocodilians, and is the largest living reptile in the world by mass. Saltwater crocodiles are found in all salt and brackish habitats in Australia, Bangladesh, Brunei, Myanmar Cambodia, parts of China, India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Solomon Is lands, Thailand, and Vietnam. Adults have been seen far out to sea, possibly inspiring the Sea Dragon myths. Some even have barnacles on their scales after spending so long in the ocean. Their ability to excrete salt explains their wide distribution.

STATUS: Least Concern

*Compare with Crocodylus rhombifer for color. Known to hybridize with C. siamensis.