Saltwater crocs silent but deadly

DEEP within the freshwater swamp or river, the man-eating saltwater crocodile waits with beady eyes for its unsuspecting prey.

When its gaping mouth opens, exposing two rows of spear-like teeth, there are few more awesome sights than the world’s biggest reptile.

Up to 20ft long, the creature glides silently through the water before shattering the idyllic serenity of its habitat by dragging prey under water.

Swimmers or trekkers taking a dip in warm water can find themselves unwitting victims of its ambush.

Farmyard cattle and other mammals, fish and birds are the more common items which are eaten by the creatures.

Once its prey is in the water, the crocodile begins a grim, inevitable process known as the “death roll”.

Holding the animal or human underwater, the so-called “saltie” swings its victim round and round, causing disorientation then drowning. It can then wait days for the carcass to decompose before munching on the flesh.

Because crocodiles have a valve which seals off the throat, the animals can open their mouths under water without inhaling water. Salties, which have also been found hundreds of miles out to sea, can survive in saltwater because of special glands.

Hunting them was banned in the 1970s and now the saltie population has risen to an estimated 250,000.

In the last 20 years, there have been more than a dozen recorded killings of humans by this species.