Wariness in Crocodylus porosus (Reptilia : Crocodilidae)

Abstract

Of 1364 C. porosus sighted at night, 954 (69.9%) could be approached by a boat and spotlight to within 5 ft, and 1191 (87.3%) to within 20 ft. The percentage which could be approached to within 5 ft decreased with increasing body size and varied between rivers. Such differences appear to reflect mainly learned wariness, though some data suggest that a natural increase in wariness accompanies the transition from hatchlings to 1-year-olds. The low approach distances make the species vulnerable to over-harvesting.