Croc hatchlings struggle for survival



Thur 11 Mar 

Croc hatchlings struggle for survival

By Roy Weavers

Our friends David and Tyna White from Solar Whisper Daintree River Cruises have returned to work after refit for their first week back on the river. The recent rains initially cooled the water and they report seeing Scarface, the mature adult Crocodile out on the bank, but with the beautifulkl weather over the last week the water has warmed up again.

 

Their  cruisers mid week were luck enough to see the first of Elizabeth’s hatchlings and then on Monday this week they spotted some more hatchlings downstream. After a year of observing the slow growth, last years juveniles look huge compared with the tiny 140mm long hatchlings.

 

Initially, David and Tyna saw 5 hatchlings but now it seems there are only 2 left as they drift off or get eaten.  Although adult Crocodiles are top of the food chain in the river, their young are very vulnerable.  This is nature at its toughest with less than 1% survival rate from the original 50 eggs. 

 

With current weather so warm and sunny the activity on and around the river is busy busy busy as the birds and animals take advantage of the plentiful food supplies. This really is a great time to visit the rainforest and river. For further details David & Tyna White on www.solarwhisper.com