The saltwater croc can grow up to 10ft long. These beasts are as old as dinosaurs, but they still have a lifespan. So how long do they live?
There are over 10,000 species of crocodile in the Kakadu National Park. The crocodile population here covers both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles – but how long do they live? And what is their lifespan?
The lifespan of a freshwater crocodile
A freshwater crocodile will grow until it is about 50 years old and 3 metres long.
The freshwater croc is normally black and olive coloured, and the adults have a dark, paler skin.
The crocodile hatches out of an egg, and it is 20 to 30 cm long. During the first few years of its life, it shelters along the edges of the water habitat with its siblings. When they are young, they survive on a diet of fish, frogs, crustaceans and small creatures that live in the river or ocean they inhabit.
It’s the only stage in its life where it is susceptible to other predators, falling prey to birds, fish and other crocodiles (parent crocodiles can be cannibalistic and often eat their young).
As they get older, they get progressively longer each year. They slowly increase in length each year and get larger until they get to about 5-10 feet long when they are about 10 years old. At this age, they are sexually mature and become old enough to lay eggs and reproduce. They are about 5-10 feet long at this point.
After this stage in their life, they start to become far more territorial, protective, and aggressive.
The lifespan of a saltwater croc
Saltwater crocodiles tend to live longer – up until they are about 70 years old. However, it is estimated that some saltwater crocs can even live up until they are 80 years old.
Did you know?
The oldest crocodile in the world has lived until 120 years! Cassius, Australia’s oldest crocodile on record has reached a whopping 5.5 metres long. After trying to attack some cattle in the late 1980s, Cassius was captured and has been living in captivity ever since. His longevity has proven that some saltwater crocodiles might even live until they are over 100!