Crocodile Conservation Biology

and
Ecological Importance

Jake Wilson B. Binaday

Biologist
 28 species
of
crocodilians
in the world
Crocodiles in the Philippines
 Philippine Freshwater Crocodile
(Crocodylus mindorensis, Schmidt 1935)

Post-occipital scales

Indo-Pacific crocodile
(Crocodylus porosus, Schneider 1901)
Distribution of Crocodylus porosus
Indo Pacific Crocodile Philippine Crocodile

~ 500 92 – 137
Stable Recovering
 A Perfect Amphibious Hunter

 like a submarine

 its head acts like a

periscope

 can move underwater

without creating a ripple
 Temperature Regulation

• metabolism rate controlled in part by body

temperature
• Poikilotermic (cold-blooded) – body temp controlled
by environment
• regulate their temp by behavior
– bask in sun to speed up metabolism
– hide in shade to prevent overheating
How Crocodiles Move on Land?

High Walk
How Crocodiles Move on Land?

Gallop
Can Crocodiles Jump?

Leaping
 Gaping
• Saying “I’m here!”
• Orients the skull
towards the
direction of the
sun
• Aggression
Territoriality
 Aggression
• Head slapping on
water surface
• Inflates body
• Arched tail
• Growling
 Crocodile Strength
• Explosive strength in
a short amount of
time
 Reproduction
• Male sends out low
frequency sound
• Male rides female
• Clasps her with front
and back limbs
• Male rolls the tail
beneath the female
• Mates in shallow
waters
 Do Crocodiles Make Nests?
• Usually nest in wet
season
• Make a pile of
vegetation
• Clear surrounding areas
• Average 0.50m high and
1.6m base diameter
• Exhibit high degree of
parental care
 Crocodile Eggs
• White, hard-shelled,
smooth
• Lay all at one time
• 75-90 days to hatch
• Females usually
excavate the nest
when eggs hatch
For high survival of embryos
during incubation, attention
must be given to:
• Temperature (in range 31-33C, but
preferably with average of 32C).

• Humidity (99+%; no free water on

eggs).

• Gas exchange (oxygen levels).

 Temperature
• Embryos can develop fully and hatch at a
range of temperatures (eg 29-33°C).

• High temperatures early in incubation are

more harmful than at the end of incubation.

• Temperature can have a profound effect on

post-hatching survival and growth.
Global warming or Global cooling?
Know your crocodiles!
 Opaque banding and incubation

Spot (1-3 days) Just complete &

expanding (4 days)

1/10 to 9/10 (1-3 days) Complete and

• Opaque banding after 24hrs. expanding (5-7 days)
• Thermosensitive period during
the middle third of incubation
• Species –specific (7-15 days)
• Sex is irreversible Just complete (3-4 days)
Even band (7-40 days)
Opaque banding and incubation
 Opaque banding and incubation

Spreading one end (45-50 d) Spreading both ends (45-60 d) Completely opaque (65+ d)
Temperature Dependent Sex Determination (TSD)

General trend for crocodilians is F-M-F:

• 28-31C: 100% females
• 31-32C: males and females
• 32-32.5C: 100% males
• 32.5-33C: males and females
• 33-34C: 100% females
Temperature Dependent Sex Determination (TSD)

Eggs incubated in semi-natural

conditions may have variable sex
ratios, depending on
temperature in different parts of
the nest.
Temperature Dependent Sex Determination (TSD)
 Survival Rates
• Most eggs are lost
from predators
• Nest becomes
submerge in water
• 50% of hatchlings are
loss within 1 year
• Average of 15% annual
loss for the first 5
years
 Marking Protocol

• Identification marks (scute clipping)

• Biometrics: length / weight / sex / parent
• Enclosure assignment
Marking Protocol

Scute-clipping
Marking Protocol

Livestock tags
 Crocodile Body Facts
• Approximately half of
total length of
crocodile is the tail
• Crocodiles have
goggles when
underwater called
nictitating membrane
• Crocodiles are able to
smell
 Crocodile Jaws
• Has the strongest
bite force
• Saltwater Crocodiles
have 64 replaceable
teeth, while 70 for
freshwater crocodiles
 August.CR2

Red Eyes at Night

“Tapetal Reflection”
Do Crocodiles Move Around?

Are Crocodiles Territorial?

Dominance
Dominance
Crocodile habitat are perceived by Manobo
as fish sanctuaries; an assurance of healthy
fish stocks to sustain their
fishing practices.