| Crocodiles are one of the symbols of Australian fauna. |
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North Tropical Queensland is the land of dangerous saltwater crocodiles.
These crocs live in most of tidal rivers and travel by sea from one river
to another. So, if you are "lucky" you can spot one on the ocean
beach.
I am glad there are no crocodiles in Sydney and Melbourne! |
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Welcome to our friendly beach! | 
You sure you still want to swim? | 
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| Saltwater crocodiles are very dangerous. In Australia, they kill several
people every year. Crocodiles change their teeth about one hundred times
during their life. Even an old crocodile without teeth can kill a cow,
because of huge pressure in the jaws, as much as several tonnes. It can
swallow a small catch without problems, but if the catch is too big the
croc may ask one of his girlfriends to help strip it out. Crocs usually
have about 12 girlfriends. Their brain is the size of a nut.
Big mouth, small brain, lots of girlfriends - that's the crocodile recipe
how to survive one million years! |
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In Cairns there are several crocodile farms, where you can safely see
the beasts close up, taste crocodile meat or buy very expensive bags and
wallets. Crocodile meat (usually from the tail) is white and tastes like
a chicken. Suprisingly the meat of big chicken - emu - is red and very
tender and tastes better than crocs.
Raising crocodiles is a very interesting process as you can decide if
you want to have more girl or boy crocs in the farm. It depends on the
temperature of eggs. Warmer temperature more likely it will be a lady-croc.
Because male crocodiles are bigger the farms grow mostly males. Poor creatures
have no chances to has 12 girlfriends as their mates from the wild. |
Kids like little crocodiles. Crocs like kids... | 
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| Some people pay money for bungee-jumping, some
collect stamps and some play "cat-and-mouse" with crocodiles.
Crocodile Attack Show is looking for volunteers... Anyone? |
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THAT was close! | 
Croc as a pet | 
Crocodile "dead roll" - that's how croc fights for a big catch |
| Boating on Daintree river is an excellent opportunity to see crocodiles
in the wild. It is quite difficult to see them between grass and tree.
Very often you can spot the beasts with their mouths open as this is how
they rest their jaw muscles. |
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When I grow up and became a croc, beware of me - thinks little lizard. |
