Freshwater Crocodile
The "Freshie"

The Australian Freshwater Crocodile is also known as the Johnston Crocodile and the "Freshie".

"Freshies" are small Crocodiles; the males can grow up to 3 metres in length and the females up to about 2 metres, though usually they are smaller than this.

They are a light brown colour with darker bands on the body and tail, their snout is narrow and tapering with a straight jaw line and sharp teeth, their hind feet are webbed.

They eat mainly fish, crustaceans and insects, but will also eat small mammals, birds and reptiles.

Breeding time for the "Freshie" is July to September, the dry season in the north of Australia, the female digs a hole in a sandy river bank, around 12 eggs are laid, usually at night.

The females in that particular group may all nest close to each other.

The incubation period is usually between 75 to 85 days but can be a little longer or a little shorter.

They don't stay with the eggs, but the mother does come back to the nest at the end of the incubation period and carries the hatched young to the water in her mouth.

Freshwater Crocodiles aren't aggressive like their saltwater cousins though they will bite if they feel threatened or they are disturbed.

The "Freshie" is found only in northern Australia, across the top of Queensland, Northern Territory and Western Australia in wetlands, billabongs rivers, and creeks.

They can tolerate saltwater but they don't do well in areas inhabited by the much larger and more aggressive Saltwater variety.