To reach this size, Groh said, this crocodile likely had the benefit of warm weather, plenty of room to roam and large prey to hunt. "Optimal climate conditions (such as in some places in Australia) with few cold periods make it easier for the crocs to grow larger," Groh said.
The Australian saltwater crocodile is the largest and most fearsome of today's species. Specimens can live for more than 100 years, can grow to 7 m (23 ft) and weigh more than 1 tonne (1.1 ton)!
Experts say while the crocodile population has stabilised, crocodiles are getting bigger on average each year as more of them reach maturity. NT government monitoring of Top End rivers has found a shift in the total weight of crocodiles observed.
Crocodiles have been around for over 60 million years. Today, the saltwater crocodile is the largest crocodilian on the planet. The largest saltwater crocodile was found in the Philippines.
Australia has saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) which are bigger than the Nile crocodiles (Crocodylus niloticus). The saltie is the world largest living reptile, growing to an average size of 6.7 m and weight around 2000 kgs.
More crocodiles in the NT
There is estimated to be around 100,000 saltwater crocodiles in the wild in the NT. There are more saltwater crocodiles in the NT than Queensland and Western Australia (WA).
What is this? Crocodiles have been known to be as far south as the Mary River in Gympie. This is only about 167km from Brisbane and only 52km from the Great Sandy National Park. More astonishingly, this is a whopping 449km away from the northern points of Queensland where they are typically found.
Tarcoles River - highest populations of crocodiles in world - 25 crocs per square kilometer - Picture of Jose's Crocodile River Tour, Tarcoles - Tripadvisor.
Each year, hundreds of deadly attacks are attributed to the Nile crocodile in Sub-Saharan Africa. Attacks by saltwater crocodiles often occur in Southeast Asia, Australia, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands.
Australia's freshwater crocodile can climb steep slopes, such as those along riverbanks, which saltwater crocodiles would have more trouble with. “Hatchlings of both species…can even climb vertical brickwork, which is the cause of occasional crocodile farm escapes,” Adam told Australian Geographic.
Australia has a large population of crocodiles but as the research noted, there are only an average of 1.9 attacks a year.
But despite their size and strength, there are animals that do prey on them. Man appears to be their biggest predator. Big cats like leopards and panthers sometimes kill and eat these big reptiles. Large snakes can also do a lot of damage to alligators and crocodiles.
Although adult crocodiles have no natural predators other than humans, hatchlings have a high mortality rate and are preyed upon by other wildlife including raccoons, birds, and crabs.
There are thought to be around 200,000 Saltwater Crocodiles in Australia, with the most found in the areas surrounding Darwin and the Mary River. Over the years, they have been hunted for their skins and have almost been brought to extinction on a number of occasions.
The biggest croc ever found, at 8.6m (28ft). Shot by a hunter in Queensland, Australia in 1957. Wendy Richards and 5,460 others like this.
But as we noted, the oldest crocodile on record is known as Mr. Freshie. Mr. Freshie is a freshwater crocodile that lived in the Australian Zoo from 1970 until 2010.
Size, defenses, and offensive capabilities will matter most in a fight between an unarmed human and a crocodile. On land, humans can outrun crocodiles, but in the water, crocodiles are considerably swifter.
Pocho (around 1950–1960 – 12 October 2011) was a Costa Rican crocodile who gained international attention for his relationship of over 20 years with Gilberto "Chito" Shedden, a local fisherman who found Pocho dying on the banks of the Reventazón River and nursed him back to health.
“We recommend trying to poke them in the eye, hitting them in the top part of the skull or the side of the jaw. Those points are sensitive on alligators just like they are on us,” she said. In a water attack, the danger is more from drowning than the bite, Andrews said. So get to land if possible.
A hippo would win a fight against a crocodile. Although crocodiles are large, powerful creatures, they cannot kill a fully-grown hippo. Hippos are large, round animals that are much taller than crocodiles. The only place they would be vulnerable to attack is their legs.
Too cold to stay
Regardless of how lone crocodiles end up in northern New South Wales and southern Queensland, experts say crocodile populations never inhabited the regions. Dr Salisbury said any crocodiles that ended up in unusually southern locations, were almost always alone and never stayed for long.
Most of the reported sightings are around populated areas. Surprisingly there have been several reported sightings in the south east – even as far south as the Gold Coast. Presumably those sightings in central Queensland are freshwater crocodiles.
Dominator: Meet the largest surviving crocodile which is 20 feet long and weighs 1000 kg. The Dominator lives in Adelaide River in Australia.