As humans are viewed as another food source, if crocodiles see them walking along the waters edge or swimming in their territory, they may also become prey. It is important to note that many crocodile attacks occur when people do not take heed of crocodile warning signs put in place, or do not take these warning signs seriously.
Feeding Behaviour
According to Webb and Manolis (1989:69) in Australian Crocodiles, "the feeding behaviour of Saltwater Crocodiles appears fairly typical of all crocodilians - a mixture of active hunting and a more passive 'sit and wait' strategy".
Hunting Behaviour of Juvenile Saltwater Crocodiles
The most common feeding strategy of juvenile crocodiles is to wait for potential prey (such as shrimps and prawns), to come within striking distance of their jaws. The crococodiles sense the movement of the prey with sensory pits located along the sides of their jaws.
When striking, crocodiles roll their head to an approximately 45 degree angle, and then strike sideways into the water. If successful, the crocodiles (with head raised) will rapidly open and close their jaws on the prey, moving it backgrounds towards their throat, where it is often crushed in the rear part of their jaws. Webb and Manolis (1989) further explain that in order for crocodiles to swing their heads at such a large angle, their bodies need to become rigid; this is accomplished by arching their muscles which extend from the back and tail.
All crocodiles from the time of hatching are stimulated by the movement of prey. Many small crabs and insects tend to be taken as they move on or near the shoreline, or in vegetation at the shoreline.
Hunting Behaviour of Larger Saltwater Crocodiles
The most common hunting strategies for larger saltwater crocodiles is that of an underwater approach: as they sense the preys movement, hear or smell it, they will move their head towards the prey and submerge their entire bodies silently under water. They will then swim under the water until reaching their prey, where they will then raise their heads. Once in this position, crocodiles will lunge with their jaws open and slam them shut on their prey (Webb and Manolis 1989).
Larger saltwater crocodiles have also been known to trap fish in shallow water. This is conducted by swimming approximately 1 metre away from the shoreline. As the crocodiles sense the prey, which is between them and the shoreline, they throw their tail inward, trapping the prey at one end, while the head is thrown inward at the other to grasp it.
Crocodiles dismember large prey by rolling and thrashing until pieces of the prey become separated from its body. The size of a crocodile stomach is small in relation to the size of the prey taken, and may only take a few bites to become full. The remains of the uneaten carcass may then be left in bushes or under the water, where they may return to feed on it at a later time.
Smaller crocodiles appear to feed throughout the year, although their food intake during the cooler part of the dry season is reduced. Larger crocodiles appear to be more affected by cooler weather than smaller crocodiles, with their food intake being greatly reduced or even ceasing completely during cooler weather (Webb and Manolis 1989).
Crocodiles are capable of living for months without feeding, due to their extensive fat stores which provide energy. The growing and feeding cycle of crocodiles of all sizes appears to occur more during the wet season.
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