| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 09:20 AM UTC
Hey Mate, great topic to discuss and since i live up here in Darwin i can consider myself a expert behind a desk. As far as i am aware crocodiles dont have a preference for locals or tourists. Although they sure did enjoy that sweet German girl who was chomped back last year.
It possibly could be coz the locals are lot more blaise and have the attitude that since we live here we know where crocodiles are and arn't. just my thoughts though. A crocodile expert may prove me wrong.
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| Australia |
what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 09:32 AM UTC
So is it true Rod, that the Crocodile Granny and her friends were camping where they shouldn't have been or not? Just wanted to get that fact sorted. One report I read said they were well back from the water and were ok where they were, but someone said here that they had been warned not to go there, and shouldn't have been there.
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 10:21 AM UTC
you know, reading about the poor camper almost swallowed be the croc while sleeping sound, and then the good old grandma jumping on the beast and then the 3rd "guest-star" shooting dead the poor hungry animal, it all seems like a funny comedy movie, really ... quite black humour, to be said!
I hope they get over soon, though.
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 11:20 AM UTC
Hey all you out there, why are crocodiles beginning to get brave just as I'm planning my trip out there
:-))))))))))))
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 01:35 PM UTC
You should be fine. Just listen to the locals and don't camp near the water. It's only saltwater crocodiles you have to be aware of and no the freshwater ones. The freshies are quite small, around 2 meters max and are more scared of you. Don't tease them though. The salties are the real monsters. They are pure evil, so no swimming where they have been sighted!!
No worries though, the chances of dying in in a plane crash are higher than being chomped up by a hungry croc.... Just use common sense.
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| Australia |
Re: Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 01:42 PM UTC
cheers Mart, guess what.....
you made me feel better about the crocs but you're plane crash comparison is a stunner....
my 4.5 week trip is a all flights from manchester via heathrow to los angeles, then LA to Melbourne, then to sydney and darwin later on, a trip throught the outback by 4WD, adelaide to Melbourne by train, melbourne via Perth to Jo'burg, Jo'burg to Durban, watch the cricket then flights home to manchester via jo'burg and heathrow
classic :-))))))))
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| Australia |
Re: Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 01:49 PM UTC
Sounds like an awesome adventure Dave! Yeah it's quite some comparison eh? Ah well, the chances of dying in a car crash.... ehmmm nevermind. Enjoy your trip, it will be cool as! Looking forward to you stories :))
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| Australia |
what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 07:47 PM UTC
Wouldn't you hate it if you survived a plane crash in Nthn Australia only to be eaten by a crocodile!!!
LOL.
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Thu October 14, 2004 08:55 PM UTC
And imagine to survive both the croc and the plane, and then a ridiculous and insignificant black widow gets into your shoes!! ...funny huh???
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| Australia |
Re: Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Fri October 15, 2004 04:07 AM UTC
I was at the Perth Royal Show (State Fair) last weekend and in the camping display section they had something that we laughed was a bit unnecessary.
It was a four wheel drive with a roofrack converted to a sleeping platform with a mattress on the bottom and a packed down tent over the top. The idea was that you just put up the tent there on top of the car when you stop for the night. I had thought it was to keep you dry and warm and to reduce set up and knock down times.
As soon as the story came out about the crocodile dragging the guy from a tent pitched 60 metres (aparently ordinarily a safe distance) from the water, my husband and I both decided what a great idea that platform tent was.
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Fri October 15, 2004 06:39 AM UTC
" ...humans invading their habitats or crocodiles invading the city ...."
The answer put simply is that it's a bit of both. Crocodiles were hunted near to extinction so in the early 1970's they became a protected species in Australia. Since then their numbers have grown and they're re-occupying their old habitats. Meantime the numbers of people living in those habitats has increased, and tourism has brought in many more thousands.
These days also there are many crocs that weren't alive when it was wise for a croc to fear humans - when hunting was legal. These crocs are opportunistic and are not afraid of hanging around where there are a lot of people.
When you live in croc areas normally you automatically look for the signs. You almost instinctively know where to and where not to swim, wander around, or camp. But it's like crossing a road, millions do it every day. Every day there's the odd one or two who don't make it.
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| Australia |
what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Fri October 15, 2004 09:54 AM UTC
But is there enough food naturally for these crocs or do they need to 'hunt' themselves and occassionally find a human or two?
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| Australia |
Re: Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Fri October 15, 2004 11:41 AM UTC
Too right..... mind you my belly's big enough that i could spare a little for the sharks too......
Wahhhhhhhh.... anyone got a space suit I can travel in??
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Mon October 18, 2004 07:03 AM UTC
Saltwater (Estuarine) crocs eat virtually anything (meat-wise). Unlike warm-blooded animals, reptiles don't need to eat a lot but they still need to eat.
Those that live in the sea or along the shore line are usually very skinny. It's hard to sneak up on things in the open water. Those that live in rivers and particularly billabongs are usually much fatter. They can lie hidden amongst water weeds just waiting for some prey to fall into their mouths.
Hunting usually takes place late afternoon and through the night. It's foolish to remain near large waterways in the evening.
You do get people who've caught fish and clean them on the banks of waterways. This attracts crocs. You may not be there when the fish were cleaned and not know anything about it. But it gives the crocs the idea that there's food to be had in the area and they don't care what, so long as it's some kind of meat.
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| Australia |
Re: what's the matter with crocodiles?? Posted: Tue October 19, 2004 12:23 PM UTC
Hi,
I live in Cairns, Northern Australia only a few hours away from where the croc attack occurred. I just wanted to let everyone who is thinking of coming to Australia not to worry at all about crocodiles - I have been living in Cairns (so called crocodile territory) for 12 years now and have NEVER seen a crocodile in the wild - most of the locals havent. Usually if tourists want to see a crocodile they have to go to a crocodile farm!! Safe Travels :)
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