The nesting of estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus) in Teluk Sengat, Kota Tinggi, Johor

Abstract

This study was conducted at Teluk Sengat, Kota Tinggi, Johor, beginning from 28th July 2011 until 31th January 2012. The aims of this study were to determine the nest dimension, eggs and hatchlings of estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). During the study period, 5 nests of C. porosus were measured for: nest length, nest width, nest height and physical parameters. The measurements of eggs and hatchlings for C. porosus were also been taken. The nests are mounds with mean range nest dimensions were 110 to 180 cm long, 105 to 160 cm wide and 40 to 55 cm high. Nests were close to permanent water with the average distance nest from permanent water was 5 to 50 m. The average clutch size recorded was 55.4 eggs and the nest temperature was 32.6 °C. The mean water temperature was 32.18 °C and average salinity was 21.87 ppt. The recorded mean wallow depth was 32 to 40 cm, mean length was 240 to 334 cm and mean width was 120 to 126 cm while the incubation period recorded was 93 .3 days. The mean length of eggs was 8.11 ± 0.3 cm and mean egg width was 5.24 ± 0.04 cm. The mean weight of C. porosus eggs collected during this short study period was 120 ± 6.4 g. The average of total length of hatchlings was 25.9 ± 0.3 cm. The mean weight of the hatchlings of C. porosus was 59.7 ± 6.5 cm. Adult female C. porosus remain close to the nest during incubation and excavate the nest when the young hatch.