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Crocodile Mating Habits

Crocodile mating is a multi-phase process that can be alternately brutal and tender. Crocodiles are ambush predators with relatively high intelligence as well as territorial instincts, which affect their mating. Male crocodiles intimidate or fight other males over both territory and access to females. Females in turn allow dominant males or males of choice to mate with them. After hatching from their eggs, baby crocodiles are cared for by female crocodiles to a degree rare among reptiles.

Attraction
- Male crocodiles attract female mates by making bellowing sounds, slapping their snouts against the water and blowing water out of their snouts. Males compete fiercely for access to females, and larger males are often more successful in their mating attempts. Mating season for freshwater crocodiles typically begins in July while saltwater crocodiles can begin mating as late as September. Males may mate with multiple females in a single mating season. Both male and female crocodiles reach sexual maturity at roughly 10 years of age.
Mating
- Crocodile copulation takes place underwater. The male approaches the female by softly touching her, blowing bubbles underneath her and rubbing his jaw against her. The female will swim away if she does not find the male to be a suitable mate. If the female accepts the male, he will gently push her under the water. Unlike many reptiles, the male crocodile has only a single sexual organ. The mating process takes several minutes. In addition to mating with multiple females, a male crocodile will often mate numerous times with the same female to ensure her eggs become fertilized.
Birthing
- Crocodiles differ by species in their egg-laying and hatching habits. Saltwater crocodiles build nests on top of which females will lay to keep the eggs warm. Females typically lay 40 to 60 eggs, but only a small number will survive. Predators, flooding and extreme temperatures will destroy the young. In some cases, less than 1 in 10 will reach maturity. Adult crocodiles live long lives, however, with adults typically living to the age of 70 to 80 years.
Protecting Territory
- Both females and males protect their territory, which is essential to successful mating and rearing of their young. Males attempt to intimidate other males by making loud sounds, snapping their jaws and raising their bodies out of the water. If intimidation does not work, males will fight. Males control larger territories than females, although females closely guard their eggs and hatchlings from predators and aggressive, mature crocodiles.

Animals & Science