A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin

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A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin
A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin


They might look cute, but these baby crocs are born with a bite.

The first saltwater crocodiles of the season have begun hatching at Crocodylus Park in Darwin, Australia.

Around 3,500 of the grumpy reptiles are expected to emerge from eggs between now and June.

A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin
A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin


According to researcher Matt Brien, different personalities emerge almost immediately. He told Rex Features: "You have the good, the bad and the ugly. Some are really cute and nice, and others have the look of 'don't touch or I'll bite'.

"There are others that will look at you and want to bite your head off, which is kind of cool when they are not much bigger than your hand.

"A few in every bunch will come out and bite you, but their teeth are so tiny you'll barely even feel it. They are born to be bad."

A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin
A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin


Saltwater crocodiles are the largest of all living reptiles. Newly hatched, they measure around 25 to 30 centimetres (9.8 to 12in) long and weigh an average of 70 grams (2.5oz).

A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin
A bit snappy! Baby crocodiles start hatching in Darwin


An adult male saltwater crocodile's weight is 400 to 1,000 kilograms (880 to 2,200lbs) and length is normally 4.1 to 5.5 metres (13 to 18 ft).

However, mature males can exceed six metres (20ft) and weigh more than 1,000 kilograms (2,200 lbs): they're the only crocs to regularly reach or exceed 4.8 metres (16ft).

Not one to take home for the kids, then...

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