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THE NEW GUINEA CROCODILE

COMMON NAMES:
New Guinea Crocodile, New Guinea freshwater crocodile, Singapore large grain.

DISTRIBUTION:
Indonesia (Irian Jaya), Papua New Guinea. Probably recently extinct in the Aru islands

HABITAT:
Found extensively in freshwater swamps, marshes and lakes. Very rarely found in coastal areas. This species is reported to remain in covered areas during the day, rarely bask in the open.

STATUS:
IUCN-International Union of Conservation of Nature (LOW RISK, LEAST CONCERN)
Estimated wild population: 50,000 to 100,000
Summary: Highly successful management program

APPEARANCE:
Small to medium-sized crocodile of 9-10ft., 6-7ft for females. The snout is relatively narrow. Body colouration is brownish to grey, with darkish banding on the body and tail.

DIET:
Feeds mainly at night on fish, water birds and reptiles.

BREEDING:
Females reach sexual maturity from 3.5-6ft., males around 7ft. During the breeding season, females construct mound nests. Eggs are laid around 2 weeks after mating. Crocodiles in the north lay 22 to 45 eggs during the dry season, usually in overgrown river tributaries and on floating mats of vegetation. Southern crocodiles lay on nests built on land.

CONSERVATION:
With large amounts of suitable wetland habitat and a considerable amount of human presence have benefited this species. Skin, however, is very valuable. Crocodile eggs and hatchlings are also harvested and sold to raising facilities in exchange for both cash and chicken eggs. Harvesting programs can only succeed in conjunction with an organized monitoring program. Such a program is now being initiated in Irian Jaya, together with an effective program to cut down on illegal trade, through the formation of a Crocodile Management Task Force.