Salties like to surf

An eight year research project has revealed that saltwater crocodiles like to surf. The research helped to confirm long standing suspicions on how the world’s largest reptile managed to colonize many of the South Pacific islands.

Similar to a surfer riding a wave, Saltwater Crocs or Salties as they are commonly known, catch ocean currents and ride them for hundreds of kilometers across open seas. This helps to explain as to how an animal that can’t sustain more than a twenty minute swim, can achieve these massive migrations. Australian crocodile expert Grahame Webb said that the research shows how deceptively mobile a croc can be and that it was another example of the energy efficient lifestyle of a croc. Crocs can lie in wait underwater for prey for long periods of time by slowing down their heart rate and pumping blood only to crucial regions. They can also survive without food for several months, sometimes even a year.
The research began in 2002 and 27 Salties were observed over a period of twelve months. The crocs were tagged and observed using underwater receivers and sonar transmitters. Although Salties inhabit estuaries, rivers and mangrove swamps, research has shown that they can make long leisurely trips around the coast to take up residence elsewhere. One particular croc made a 590 kilometer journey to another location which took it about 25 days. After spending seven moths there, it made the same long journey back to its old habitat.
The research also explains how the same species of Salties can be found within an incredible range of 10,000 square kilometers; an area that encompasses China, India, Fiji and Australia.

An eight year research project has revealed that saltwater crocodiles like to surf. The research helped to confirm long standing suspicions on how the world’s largest reptile managed to colonize many of the South Pacific islands.

Similar to a surfer riding a wave, Saltwater Crocs or Salties as they are commonly known, catch ocean currents and ride them for hundreds of kilometers across open seas. This helps to explain as to how an animal that can’t sustain more than a twenty minute swim, can achieve these massive migrations. Australian crocodile expert Grahame Webb said that the research shows how deceptively mobile a croc can be and that it was another example of the energy efficient lifestyle of a croc. Crocs can lie in wait underwater for prey for long periods of time by slowing down their heart rate and pumping blood only to crucial regions. They can also survive without food for several months, sometimes even a year.

The research began in 2002 and 27 Salties were observed over a period of twelve months. The crocs were tagged and observed using underwater receivers and sonar transmitters. Although Salties inhabit estuaries, rivers and mangrove swamps, research has shown that they can make long leisurely trips around the coast to take up residence elsewhere.

One particular croc made a 590 kilometer journey to another location which took it about 25 days. After spending seven moths there, it made the same long journey back to its old habitat.

The research also explains how the same species of Salties can be found within an incredible range of 10,000 square kilometers; an area that encompasses China, India, Fiji and Australia.

Nature