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Social Structure
Crocodiles are in fact the most social reptile, however, they do not actually form social groups. Many salties and other species of the crocidilian order will congregate to certain sections of rivers at times of feeding and basking. This is where it gets interesting though, most members of the crocidilian order are not very territorial and will not mind others near them, the Australian saltie being extremely aggressive and territorial will actually not tolerate other male salties that are near them during these congregations but other species are more flexible for them to be around. In these social gatherings there is a hierarchy with the largest males being at the top and having the best place to bask while fertile females are prioritized during kills and feeding so they can get enough food to reproduce. Crocodiles are also very vocal and can make different sounds in order to communicate certain things to one another.
A group of Australian saltwater crocs laying out
2 male salties fighting to the death.
Reproduction
The breeding season of these huge reptiles takes place between November and March each year in freshwater areas contrasting to their names. Male salties will try to mate with as many females as this can during this time in hopes of having more offspring with their genes. When the breeding season starts the males will stake out territory and define their area and will even fight other males for the space, although that in itself is actually a pretty rare occurrence. After territory is settled and claimed male salties will find females, approach them, and rub heads and jaws together gently. Both crocs vocalize with each other and the female ultimately decides if it chooses to breed with the approaching male. The female will either swim away or it will raise its body which means they're in business and the male will mount her and proceed with copulation. Females will lay clutches of between 30-80 eggs in which the greater side of half usually survive and actually hatch.
Stages of Development
It's important to know that a female saltie will lay their clutch of eggs in a mound made of mud and vegetation. The mother will guard nest for around 90 days but often lose eggs to high tides/flooding and occasionally other predators leading to hatchling mortality. But a little over half usually survive and can hatch. When they do make it the development usually goes like this.
Baby crocodile around 1 foot and will stay with their mom for the first year or two after hatching
2 years old can reach over a meter in length growing quite rapidly
Males continue to grow, when they are about 16 they reach sexual maturity at about 10 feet long (females reach maturity between the ages of 12-14)
From there male crocodiles will keep growing until they hit the average of between 17-20 feet while females do not grow much past sexual maturity
Salties will mate every year during their life past sexual maturity and live to be about 70 on average but may even live longer
During these stages salties will often go out on their own where they stay solitary for the most part and then grouping together occasionally for hunting and basking as well as mating.
The only real differences between male and female salties are the size and the sex organs. Males are much more aggressive and solitary, too.
Clutch of eggs
Mother carrying a baby in her mouth
A group of young males
Adult saltwater crocodile
Older saltwater crocodile
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