Anatomy of a Saltwater Crocodile

Body and Posture

• The saltwater crocodile, like all crocodiles, has a flexible posture and is capable of walking either with its legs splayed out to the side or underneath its body. By bringing its legs under the body into "high-walk" posture, the saltwater crocodile can achieve high speeds over land. Its skin is covered in hard scales, with bony plates called scutes or osteoderms under the skin. These rows of plates give the crocodile's back a layer of tough armor. The saltwater crocodile's body is unusually wide for a crocodilian; superficially, it more closely resembles an alligator.

Size

• The saltwater crocodile's position as the largest living reptile is acknowledged, but exactly how large adult male saltwater crocodiles can be is debated. Competing stories of large individuals circulate frequently in Australia. There are reports of adult male specimens over 23 feet in length, although the longest confirmed example was only 20.7 feet in length. The largest males can weigh approximately half a ton. Females are much smaller, usually eight to 10 feet in length.

Mouth and Bite

• The saltwater crocodile has a long, narrow snout. Its bite is capable of exerting tremendous pressure on its prey. Its characteristic attack involves biting its prey and then quickly rolling over to disorient and imbalance the target. The teeth are set in bony sockets and frequently replaced over the course of the animal's life. A secondary bony palate at the rear of the mouth closes off the respiratory system so that the crocodile can open its mouth while submerged.

Brain and Sensory Organs

• Like other reptiles, the saltwater crocodile has a small brain. However, unlike other reptiles, but like other crocodilians, the saltwater crocodile has a brain with a cerebral cortex. The saltwater crocodile has keen senses, including excellent night vision. Saltwater crocodiles also have a large number of sensory pits scattered across their scales to sense disturbances and pressure changes in water. These organs make saltwater crocodiles highly sensitive to the movement of potential prey in the water around them.