AUSTRALIAN SALTWATER CROCODILE (SALTIE): Heed Your Fears

            The most fearsome of Crocodiles is the Australian Saltwater Crocodile who lives in the brackish estuaries and coastal regions from the Indian to the Pacific Oceans.  Since He can tolerate saltwater, this Crocodile can swim for miles from the mainland to small islands in the ocean.  (A few of these Crocodiles were found with Barnacles living on their hides.)

            As a top predator, “Saltie” can detect the slightest movement in the water.  He does this by the  sensory pores on the scales of his lower jaw.  Hiding the water with only his nose showing, Australian Saltwater Crocodile quietly lurks waiting for his prey.  A Fruit Bat alighting on the water for a drink becomes a tasty meal. 

            This opportunistic predator will cooperate with other Crocodiles to hunt his prey.  With skill and intelligence, “Saltie” patrols his territory.  He knows when various animals will be feeding or drinking.  No one is safe from Him, since He attacks and kills about a thousand people a year.

The lesson Australian Saltwater Crocodile teaches is listen to your fears.  Respect them and heed what they tell you, especially when they warn you of a lurking crocodile.  Your fears can keep you alive and safe.  Just do not become imprisoned by them.

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NILE CROCODILE: Primal Strength

CROCODILE FAMILY

            The Crocodile Family consists of fourteen species, some of which are the largest Reptiles in the world.  Unlike Alligators, Crocodiles have salt glands, and can swim in salt water.  In fact, these aquatic Reptiles hunt Sharks.

NILE CROCODILE:  Primal Strength

One of the most well known of Crocodiles is the Nile Crocodile of Africa, who is a fearsome predator of animals and people.  A rapid and agile hunter, She preys on animals coming to the river to drink – Lions, Buffaloes, Gazelles.  She grabs the animal with her strong jaws and teeth, drags the prey underwater until the animal drowns.  As the apex predator, Nile Crocodile is unpredictable in and out of her natural hunting range.

Like American Alligators, Nile Crocodiles are excellent parents.  The Mother-to-be is very choosy in placing her nest – close enough to the Nile River that She can keep watch but far away from floods.  Mother Crocodile remains close to the young until they reach adulthood.  Even during periods of drought, She will not leave her young.  Meanwhile, Father Crocodile watches their nest while She goes into the water to cool off.

Ancient Egyptians saw Nile Crocodile as their fearsome God Sobek. An aggressive God, Sobek represented the power of the Pharaoh.  However, He was also their God of fertility and protection.

A link to the deep past, Nile Crocodile is respected and feared.  As Sobek, Nile Crocodile is a part of the primal strength of nature.  One aspect of this is as a mother, She fearlessly protects her children.  Another aspect is Nile Crocodile as the apex predator, hunting anything that suits her.

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR: Maternal Protection

ALLIGATORIDAE

            Placed in a separate group from true Crocodiles, Alligators and Caimans do not tolerate salt water.  They prefer to live in freshwater.  Unlike Crocodiles, Alligatoridae eat leaves and fruit as well as fish and meat.  Caimans do not have a bony septum between their nostrils like Alligators.  They also have longer and sharper teeth.

AMERICAN ALLIGATOR:  Maternal Protection

Greatly feared because of Her size and teeth, American Alligator is a shy animal. She prefers to live in her “gator hole” or mucking around the swamp. The chance of being killed by an Alligator is less than being struck by lightening.   When encountering

a nearby human, She usually will walk or swim away.

American Alligator is a keystone species. She creates “alligator holes”--mud hollows in swampy areas. This provides other animals with water, food, and homes. Moreover, Alligator is the largest predator in her area, controlling overpopulation of Deer and other animals. Even Her abandoned nest is used by other animals.

When American Alligator young are being threatened, Mother American Alligator will attack the intruder. People who are familiar with swamps will warn: never come between a Mother ‘Gator’ and her nest. When Baby American Alligator is threatened, He gives a high-pitched croak. Mother Alligator will immediately appear and save Her baby.

Learn the meaning of Motherhood from the American Alligator. She has much to teach in the raising and protecting of children. Mother American Alligator protects her Young while they are incubating in their nest and later when they are growing.

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Science Notes:

1.       The difference between Alligator and Crocodile is the snout and the jaw. Alligators have broad snouts, and their teeth in their upper jaw overlap their lower jaw’s teeth. 

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CROCODILIANS : Meaningful Communications

Alligators, Crocodiles, and Gharials are the largest living reptiles on earth. They form the last living direct link with the Age of Dinosaurs. Living relics of prehistorical times, Crocodilians are the only surviving members of the same family as the Dinosaurs.  They are also the closest living relative to Birds. 

The Crocodilia order is split into three major subfamilies–Crocodile, Alligatoridae (Alligators and Caimans), and Gharial (Gavial). The seven Alligator species live in the Americas except for Chinese Alligator.  Meanwhile, Gharials live in Asia. The fourteen true crocodile species are found in the tropics.  They range from the Estuarine (Saltwater) Crocodile, who swims in the open ocean to the rare Cuban Crocodile found in only two swamps of Cuba. 

Well-suited for their lives in the water, these aquatic hunters have webbed feet and muscular tails.  Their ankles swivel to allow their legs to be almost under their bodies.  (This lets Them to walk like Mammals.)  Unlike other Reptiles, Crocodilians can gallop or do a “high walk” (similar to Mammals).

What set Crocodilians apart from other Reptiles are their complex social lives.  They speak to their young, inform others of their territories, or buzz to attract mates.  How much each one shows of their body above the water conveys their social status.  Moreover living in groups, adult Crocodilians understand everyone’s head slapping and bellowing.

What unnerves people about Crocodilians is their loud calling.  Like Lions, Crocodiles will roar to tell others of trespassing on their territory.  Little ones call to their mothers, who come for them.  Alligators have breeding chorus “contests” between males and females.  Meanwhile, Male Gharials buzz to warn off their rivals and to attract Female Gharials.

Crocodilians are effective communicators.  Underwater discussions are conducted with jaw and head slaps.  Also, Crocodilians send chemicals messages using smell to each other.  During spring nights, Alligators gather for “dances” (their form of group courtship). Using a variety of methods, Crocodilians make Themselves understood by others.  We can learn from these Reptiles how to communicate meaningfully with others, using all the means at our disposal. Just do not frighten people with your bellowing.

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