crocodiles
Some people believe that crocodiles are living dinosaurs. Crocodiles are the largest reptiles known to man. There are two types of crocodile in Australia. One of these species is the Estuarine Crocodile, otherwise known as the Australian Saltwater Crocodile, one of the largest species in the Crocodilian family. For thousands of years no other animal threatened crocodiles. The other species, the Freshwater crocodile, lives in fresh or slightly salty water. They are found from the Kimberleys in Western Australia across the top of northern Australia and down most of the Queensland coast. For thousands of years no other animal threatened, they ruled the wetlands and rivers of the world, but when guns were invented, humans had the ability to hunt and kill crocodiles in great numbers. This resulted in the near extinction of the crocodile. Freshwater crocodiles live in fresh or slightly salty water; they have a narrow snout and jaws and are smaller than estuarine crocodiles. They will not attack people unless they are cornered or wounded. Estuarine crocodiles are much larger and more dangerous, prefer saltwater habitats, but may be found in fresh water. Their snout is broad, bumpy and short.
By 1974 the crocodile was protected by law and the hunting stopped. By the 1980's the numbers of crocodiles began to increase. It is estimated that there are at least 100,000 crocodiles in the northern three states of Australia, so the problem has now shifted to one of persuading landowners and public alike of the value of the species, which is otherwise only seen as destructive. Fear of the crocodile is not unfounded, with a number of people injured or killed each year, although in most cases these tragedies can be avoided with increased awareness. However, loss of life has led to a degree of antipathy towards them, making conservation measures more difficult to implement. Estuarine crocodiles build their nests during the wet season between October and May. The nest is made from grass and other plants, and sand or mud. These are piled high in a mound. The crocodile breaks the plants with its teeth and uses its hind legs to scrape the plants into the mound shape. The plant matter rots away and makes the heat for the eggs to incubate. The nest temperature is an important factor in determining the sex of the young. When the nest temperature is 30ºC or less, the young will all be female, if 31ºC the young will be both male and female, if 32ºC or more the young will all be male. These nests are found on a riverbank close to the water. 0 years or more. A 3.0 metre estuarine crocodile may weigh about 100 kilograms, whilst a 5.0 metre one may weigh
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Approximate Word count = 987
Approximate Pages = 4 (250 words per page double spaced)
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