Why Do Some Crocodiles Live in Saltwater and Some in Freshwater?

Introduction

        Are you interested in learning about different types of crocodiles? Well, you're in the right place. Most people think that crocodiles live in freshwater, like on rivers or on swamps.

       But did you know there are actually different species of crocodiles? One species is called the Saltwater Crocodile. Another species is called the Freshwater Crocodile. And there are even more species of crocodiles, such as the American Crocodile. They don't just live in different places, they are actually totally different species! 

     My website will show you all the places where crocodiles live in the world, and why they live in different types of water.

World Range 

         Crocodiles live in places all around the world.  They have a huge range across the Earth. They extend to many countries around Australia, Asia, and India. Crocodiles are usually seen in northern Australia and islands like New Guinea and Indonesia.  

    Saltwater Crocodiles spread to a lot of places like the Philippines, east Asia, Vietnam, and the Solomon Islands. 

    Crocodiles also live really close to seas like in the Caribbean. In North and South America, they are found in many places such as Cuba, Jamaica, Mexico, Peru, and Venezuela. They mostly live in warmer climates closer to the equator. In the United States they can only be found across south Florida and also in the waters around Florida. 

     The largest population of crocodiles live in central Africa along the Nile River. Another large population lives on the island of Borneo in southeast Asia.

Saltwater Living 

        Saltwater Crocodiles don't just live in saltwater! They can also often be seen in freshwater habitats near swamps and rivers, where they will quietly lie still waiting for their prey to appear. Then they will surprise the animal and drown it.  

    Saltwater Crocodiles can live in either saltwater, brackish water, or freshwater. Brackish water is mostly a mixture of saltwater and freshwater. It's not nearly as salty as ocean water, but it has some salt.

     Saltwater Crocodiles have a special lingual salt gland. These glands are located directly under a Saltwater Crocodile's tongue, and they help the crocodile adjust to living in all types of water by getting rid of extra salt.

     Unlike the Freshwater Crocodiles, Saltwater Crocodiles are the only ones that travel out into the oceans and seas. They don't swim far enough to travel across the ocean, but they have been found as far as 900 kilometers (about 560 miles) away from land!

      Crocodiles may live in freshwater when they are juveniles (young). But then they are forced out by adult males that take over that spot for breeding grounds. Breeding grounds are the places adult crocodiles mate to create new baby crocodiles.

      Saltwater Crocodiles are NOT found in many places around the world. They DO NOT live in Florida or the United States. In fact the only places Saltwater Crocodiles live in the world are in northern Australia, eastern India, and southeast Asia. 

Freshwater Living

      Freshwater Crocodiles are a little different than their Saltwater Crocodile relatives. Freshwater Crocodiles have a narrow or pointed snout and Saltwater Crocodiles have a thick snout.

     Another difference is their scutes. Scutes are bony plates on the back of a crocodile. Freshwater crocodiles have rows of flat scutes. On the Saltwater Crocodiles, the scutes are more pointed. Look at the pictures to see the difference.

      Like their name suggests, Freshwater Crocodiles prefer to live in freshwater. When the wet season comes around, Freshwater Crocodiles move throughout the flood plains. Freshwater Crocodiles can live by beaches and rivers.

      Freshwater Crocodiles are not highly dangerous like Saltwater Crocodiles, which are extremely deadly. Freshwater Crocodiles are generally shy and quick to move away when they sense humans. However, a swimmer could be at risk for being bitten by a Freshwater Crocodile if they accidentally surprise a crocodile that is hidden under the water.  

    Believe it or not, Freshwater Crocodiles also have salt glands in their tongues like the Saltwater Crocodiles!  So why do Freshwater Crocodiles need salt glands if they don't normally live in saltwater?

     This is a mystery that scientists haven't quite solved. One possible explanation is that the salt glands may be used to get rid of extra salt, so that during the dry season when they live dormant on the land their body does not get dried out. Another possible explanation is that Freshwater Crocodiles will occasionally go into salty water, so their salt glands can help them get rid of the extra salt.                                        

American Crocodiles

     A third species of crocodiles is the American Crocodile. American Crocodiles can be found in ponds, coves, and creeks, and in mangrove swamps. They can be found in brackish or saltwater areas. They can also occasionally be found in inland freshwater areas. So American Crocodiles can live in many types of water habitats.

     The words "American Crocodile" do not mean that they only live in the United States! Some people get confused. Instead think of it this way: American Crocodiles live in North America and South America.

    The only place in the United States where American Crocodiles live is in southern Florida. American Crocodiles also live in Cuba, Jamaica, and all along the Caribbean coast from Mexico to South America. On the coast of the Pacific Ocean, American Crocodiles live from Mexico to Peru.

    Look below to learn more about a special place called the Florida Everglades where American Crocodiles live.

Conclusion

         I hope you have learned a lot of information all about crocodiles. They can live in many warmer places around the world, and in many different types of water.

       There are different species of crocodiles, such as the Saltwater Crocodile, the Freshwater Crocodile, and the American Crocodile. There are even more species of crocodiles which can be seen on the map below.

     I hope you now understand that the Saltwater Crocodile can live in the ocean. It prefers saltwater, but it can also survive in freshwater and brackish water. That confused me at first, but now I get it! They mostly live in saltwater.

     Also, I hope you realize that Freshwater Crocodiles mostly live in freshwater, but sometimes will go into saltwater or brackish water areas, too.

    Finally, I hope you understand that the American Crocodile doesn't just live in America!