A Review On Distribution of Crocodylus Porosus (Saltwater Crocodile)

A REVIEW ON DISTRIBUTION OF
CROCODYLUS POROSUS (SALTWATER

CROCODILE)
NUR ALIAH IZZATI BINTI MOHD RAFI
MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAMME

FACULTY OF SCIENCE AND RESOURCES
UNIVERSITI MALAYSIA SABAH
2023
CHAPTER 1
INTRODUCTION
1.1 Saltwater Crocodile
The hardiest and most geographically widespread crocodile species is the saltwater
crocodile, Crocodylus porosus. The distribution includes numerous Southeast Asian
nations, including Australia, Papua New Guinea, Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, Palau,
Solomon Islands, and Vanuatu in addition to the Indo-Pacific region as a whole
(Webb et al., 2010). Crocodiles are split into three major groups: the Gavialinae
(gharials and false gharials), the Alligatorinae (alligators and caimans), and the
Crocodylinae (genuine crocodiles) (Webb & Manolis, 1989). The Order Crocodilia,
which has 23 species, eight genera, and three families, includes the saltwater
crocodile (Grigg & Gans, 1993).
The word krokodeilos, which is Greek for "pebble worm," is where the
scientific name Crocodylus porosus originates (Caldicott et al., 2005) Porosus, on
the other hand, refers to the rugose and rough surface of the snout in large adults
of crocodiles, and is formed from the words porosis and osus. Compared to other
living reptiles, the crocodile has a particular exterior look and behaviour. Each and
every crocodile is a sizable, semi-aquatic predator (Grigg & Gans, 1993). The
largest reptile in the world is thought to be the Crocodylus porosus. The male C.
porosus can grow to be more than 7 metres long and weigh more than 2000 kg
(Grigg & Gans, 1993). Although male and female crocodiles reach sexual maturity
at the same age in the wild, males grow bigger and more quickly than females.
There is no external way to identify the crocodiles' sex other than their size (Grigg
& Gans, 1993). This species typically lives in freshwater wetlands and tidal rivers
around the coast. But in addition to saltwater habitats, C. porosus may also travel
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hundreds of kilometres upstream from the sea, well beyond the effects of tides and
saline water. C. porosus is widespread in Malaysia's Sabah and Sarawak states,
which are on the island of Borneo.
1.2 Research Background
Resulting of excessive saltwater crocodile hunting, their population decreased

between 1950 and 1970. (Sabah Wildlife Department, 2002). Romulus Whitaker
(1984) studied roughly 1146 km of river habitat while conducting a preliminary
crocodile study in Sabah. 56 crocodiles were discovered during the survey, however,
he was only able to inspect each location once during his six-week survey time due
to the length of the river. Additionally, the paper notes that the species has
suffered a severe decline (Whitaker, 1984).
The Crocodylus porosus population recovered in 2002, according to a field

survey, which found that the minimum density recorded was 1.1 crocodiles per km
and the corrected density was 2.27 crocodiles per km (Sabah Wildlife Department,
2002). The analysis shows that the number of crocodiles rose more than ten times
over the preceding eighteen years based on corrected average densities.
demonstrates the success of the preventive measures taken to preserve the wild
population of crocodiles. This is mostly because protected areas have been
established, such as the upper reaches of the Klias River and the Kinabatangan
Wildlife Sanctuary in Sandakan (Sabah Wildlife Department, 2002). The
Kinabatangan River, Sabah's largest river and home to the majority of the saltwater
crocodiles, is also home to the largest floodplain habitat. Furthermore, in North
Borneo, the mid-river regions of medium- to large-sized rivers are typically where
one can find the biggest numbers of saltwater crocodiles (Sabah Wildlife
Department, 2002).
2
1.3 Problem Statements
i. A lack of knowledge about the causes of interactions between humans and

crocodiles may result in poor management for conservation.
ii. Frequent incidents of saltwater crocodiles and interactions with humans are
caused by a lack of understanding about the saltwater crocodile in communities
around the world.
iii. The expansion of the saltwater crocodile populations in Sabah caused the
interaction with humans.
1.4 Objectives
i. To observe the current distribution and abundance of the saltwater crocodile in

Sabah.
ii. To justify possible factors that contribute to interactions of a saltwater crocodile

with the local community.
1.5 Hypothesis
i. The saltwater crocodile is abundant in Sabah compared to the peninsula.
ii. The expansion in the saltwater crocodile population is what leads to human-
saltwater crocodile interactions.
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CHAPTER 3
METHODOLOGY
2.1 Study Area
Due to the large population of saltwater crocodiles present, the study will take place in
Sabah. As can be observed, there are numerous rivers near Sandakan, the Paitan River,
the Lompatau River in Tampisan, the Udin River, the Balambangan Island off the
northern coast, and the recent cases in Lahad Datu. The species seems to be
distributed at various densities along Sabah's coastline.
2.2 Data Collection
Crocodylus porosus tissue samples will be required for this research's data collection.
The samples can be obtained from the Tuaran Crocodile Farm.
4
2.3 Interview Survey
The interview survey will be conducted to complement this research. Perhaps

the target respondent is from the local Sabah communities, especially the fishermen.
The locals will be interviewed regarding their encounters with saltwater crocodiles and
their knowledge of the species. the species.
5
REFERENCES
Caldicott, D. G., Croser, D., Manolis, C., Webb, G., & Britton, A. (2005). Crocodile
attack in Australia: an analysis of its incidence and review of the pathology and
management of crocodilian attacks in general. Wilderness & environmental
medicine, 16(3), 143–159. https://doi.org/10.1580/1080-
6032(2005)16[143:CAIAAA]2.0.CO;2
Grigg, G., & Gans, C. (1993). Fauna Of Australia 40. Morphology & Physiology Of The
Crocodylia.
Sabah Wildlife Department. (2002). Crocodile Management Plan of Sabah Wildlife

Department Report. Malaysia: Sabah Wildlife Department.
Webb, G. J. W., Manolis, C., & Brien, M. L. (2010). Saltwater Crocodile, Crocodylus
porosus. In C. Manolis & C. Stevenson (Eds.), Crocodile. Status Survey and
Conservation Action Plan. Third Edition (pp. 99-113). Darwin: Crocodile
Specialist Group.
Whitaker, R. (1984). Preliminary survey of crocodiles in Sabah, East Malaysia. Kuala
Lumpur: World Wildlife Fund (WWF) Malaysia.

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A REVIEW ON DISTRIBUTION OF

CROCODYLUS POROSUS (SALTWATER

NUR ALIAH IZZATI BINTI MOHD RAFI

MARINE SCIENCE PROGRAMME

1.1 Saltwater Crocodile

1.2 Research Background

Resulting of excessive saltwater crocodile hunting, their population decreased

The Crocodylus porosus population recovered in 2002, according to a field

i. A lack of knowledge about the causes of interactions between humans and

i. To observe the current distribution and abundance of the saltwater crocodile in

ii. To justify possible factors that contribute to interactions of a saltwater crocodile

i. The saltwater crocodile is abundant in Sabah compared to the peninsula.

2.1 Study Area

2.2 Data Collection

The interview survey will be conducted to complement this research. Perhaps

Sabah Wildlife Department. (2002). Crocodile Management Plan of Sabah Wildlife

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