Distributed range & status
The population of this species in Sri Lanka does not exceed 300. They occur in mostly in coastal areas such as Bentota, Negambo,Bogala, Muthurajawela, Matara, Kumana & Trincomalee. These crocodiles has distributed from southern Asia, occasionally from the Seychelles, eastwards through Indo-Malaya, to New Guinea, Philippines, Australia & islands in the South Pacific, in estuaries & sea coasts, as well as in tidal rivers & lakes in their vicinity.

Scales
Scales on the back are more oval than in most other crocodiles

Characteristics
It has a large head with a heavy snout. It has a pair of ridges running from orbit to centre.

Colour
Juveniles are brightly coloured with black spotted or blotched on a pale yellow or grey background. Adults show a less bright colouration of dorsum.

Behavior
It prefers brackish water rather than sea water, & is relatively more abundant near the mouths of large rivers. They even do not mind fast flowing, deep, tidal areas. It is known to be more mobile on land, can migrate considerable distances over land in search of a more suitable habitat. It can chase prey on land for short distances. They are also known to dig burrows as shelters during the dry season.

Breeding
This crocodile constructs a mound-nest, generally within coastal swamps with fresh water in flow. They use it to deposit 60-80 eggs in cold weather. The females are known to guard the nests until the eggs hatch. Even after birth the off spring hang around the mother.

Growth
It grows to 6.2m in Sri Lanka. But some individuals may grow even larger.

Food
It’s a carnivorous reptile. Juveniles eat insects, shrimps, fish, crabs, lizards & snakes. Adult diet consists of larger prey such as turtles, mammals, & birds. Occasionally humans are also being attacked by them. Most vertebrates that approach to drink are potential prey, and may suffer being seized and dragged into the water to be drowned and devoured at leisure.