A medium-sized freshwater crocodile found exclusively on the island of New Guinea, which is divided between Papua New Guinea in the east and the Indonesian provinces of Papua and West Papua in the west. It thrives in the island’s network of freshwater swamps, rivers, and lakes, avoiding coastal saltwater habitats where its larger cousin, the saltwater crocodile, dominates. Their coloration is usually olive-brown with darker crossbands, a pattern that helps them blend into the dappled shadows of freshwater environments.

New Guinea crocodiles are nocturnal hunters, relying on stealth and patience. They feed on fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and small mammals, ambushing prey that comes too close to the water’s edge. During the day, they bask on riverbanks to regulate their body temperature. One fascinating adaptation is their tolerance of seasonal water changes: during the dry season, when wetlands shrink, they become more territorial and rely on deeper water refuges; in the rainy season, they roam wider areas, taking advantage of abundant prey.

Unlike many crocodilians, the New Guinea crocodile has two distinct geographic populations—one north of the island’s central mountain range and one south of it. These populations are separated by highland terrain that crocodiles cannot easily cross, which has led to slight differences in size and coloration. Nesting takes place during the dry season, and females build large mounds of vegetation to incubate their eggs. The timing is critical: the eggs hatch at the beginning of the wet season, giving hatchlings access to abundant food and warm, shallow waters for shelter.

Distribution

Country

Population est.

Status

Year

Comments

Indonesia

2018

Papua

Papua New Guinea

2018