Australia’s saltwater crocodile has beaten contenders from the US and South America to be named the world’s most aggressive crocodile, as new guidelines are released on how to avoid altercations with the formidable predators.

 

A study conducted by Charles Darwin University in the Northern Territory found that the Crocodylus porosus, colloquially known in Australia as the saltie, was much more aggressive than six other species of crocodiles selected from around the world.

 

The research, conducted in Darwin and India, monitored juvenile crocodiles with infrared cameras over two years. The crocodiles were grouped as young hatchlings and animals about a year old.

 

Researchers found that the saltwater crocodile exhibited vastly more bellicose behaviour than species from Papua New Guinea, South America and south-east Asia. The freshwater crocodile, also found in Australia, was ranked fifth, ahead of the American alligator and the Indian gharial.

 

The saltwater crocodile underlined its fearsome reputation by being the only species to exhibit agitated tail twitching followed by lunging head strikes on its opponents.

 

By comparison, other species of crocodile are social and even gentle with each other. The Indian gharial is “a real sweetheart”, with a delicate, narrow snout and pleasant disposition.

 

The saltie’s No 1 ranking arrived as the Queensland government issued new guidelines on how to avoid being attacked by the animals.