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Species in News: Saltwater Crocodile
Saltwater crocodile population in Bengal’s Sundarban Biosphere Reserve shows substantial increase: survey
Context: The West Bengal government has long conserved saltwater crocodiles through the Bhagabatpur Crocodile Project (1976–2022), India’s only breeding and conservation facility for the species, which released 577 individuals into the Sundarbans.
About
- Species: Crocodylus porosus (Saltwater Crocodile)
- Conservation Status:
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- IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)
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- CITES: Appendix I
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- Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
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- Major Traits:
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- Size: Largest living reptile; males can reach up to 6–7 meters and weigh over 1,000 kg.
- Diet: Hypercarnivorous apex predator; feeds on fish, birds, mammals, and even sharks.
- Behaviour: They are territorial and solitary ambush predators, relying on stealth and powerful jaws, and are also capable of long-distance sea crossings.
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- Habitat: Prefer mangrove swamps, estuaries, tidal rivers, and brackish wetlands, with their Indian distribution spanning the Sundarbans (West Bengal), Bhitarkanika National Park (Odisha), and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
