Alligators probably aren’t one of them. Saltwater Crocodile About the Saltwater Crocodile Earth’s largest living crocodilian—and, some say, the animal most likely to eat a human—is the saltwater or estuarine crocodile. The name saltwater crocodile is misleading. They can live in salt or fresh water, the croc really doesn't care, as long as there is food they are happy. Freshwater crocodiles are generally found in freshwater billabongs, rivers, creeks and wetlands. The natural habitat of the freshwater crocodile is the Australian states of Western Australia, the Northern Territory and Queensland. Saltwater fish have a different body chemistry than their freshwater counterparts. The underside is creamy-white. Therefore, putting them in freshwater will make the water rush into their cells and and eventually kill them. There are many things you may encounter when swimming in the ocean. Alligators CANNOT LIVE in salt water. A deadly predator, learn about saltwater crocodiles in our expert guide, including where they live in the wild, diet and whether crocodiles really sleep with one eye open. They can live in saltwater but find it hard to compete with the bigger saltwater crocodiles. They can live in brackish waters along the coastline as well as in freshwater rivers and swamps. Studies done long ago on the habitat preferences of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) concluded that the saltier the water, the worse the crocodile habitat. They can occasionally swim far out to sea but their real preference is freshwater. If they drink salt water they can die just like we can. Not on a permanent basis, although they can go into it. Crocodiles can LIVE in salt water. Some species, like the saltwater and American crocodile, spend a great deal of time in salt water, but others, like the nile crocodile spend most of their lives in freshwater. Whales are one of the animals that can only live in salt water. Not really. Breeding and raising of the young saltwater crocodiles actually happens in freshwater areas. Its colour ranges from grey to tan-brown, with dark patches along the sides and top of the body. To tell a freshwater crocodile from a saltwater crocodile, start by looking at their size, since freshwater crocodiles grow to a maximum of 2 meters in length, while saltwater crocodiles grow to 6 or 7 meters long. The back of the crocodile is light brown usually with a number of black, irregular bands. The freshwater crocodile generally only grows to around 2 metres, although some specimens will attain a length of 3 metres. The name saltwater crocodile is misleading. Both can swin in salt water. They can live in brackish water though. They can live in salt or fresh water, the croc really doesn't care, as long as there is food they are happy. Studies done long ago on the habitat preferences of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) concluded that the saltier the water, the worse the crocodile habitat. They can live in saltwater but find it hard to compete with the bigger saltwater crocodiles. Salties can live in the brackish waters along the coastlines but are just as happy in freshwater rivers, swamps and billabongs many hundred kilometres inland. These massive creatures are known by a slew of names, including sea crocodile, Indo-Pacific crocodile, saltie, marine crocodile, and estuarine crocodile.They also have an incredibly wide distribution, as they live in regions from India and Asia, to Australia. The Freshwater Crocodile is slender-snouted and considerably smaller in build and overall size compared to its cousin, the Saltwater Crocodile Crocodylus porosus. Their bodies have hypertonic cells, which keep more salt inside the cells (than outside of them). Can crocodiles live in fresh water? Not really. Freshwater crocodiles are often only found in northern Australia, often in lakes, swamps, billabongs, and the upstream sections of rivers. They can occasionally swim far out to sea but their real preference is freshwater. They can occasionally swim far out to sea but their real preference is freshwater. Though these crocodiles can tolerate saltwater, they are often found in freshwater areas because saltwater crocodiles are not friendly toward freshwater crocodiles. They can live in brackish waters along the coastline as well as in freshwater rivers and swamps. Alligators can venture into salt water, but must go back into freshwater. • The first contrasting difference is their habitats, as salty lives around saltwaters of Northern Australia, Australasian islands, Eastern India, and Sri Lanka. How is metal music related to classical music? Some others that only live in salt water include, salt water crocodiles, dolphins, and some types of turtles. They can be distinguished from the larger saltwater crocodile by their longer and thinner snout. Salt water crocodiles live in Australia and Africa. American Crocodiles live in America :). While alligators can tolerate salt water for a few hours or even days, they are primarily freshwater animals, living in swampy areas, rivers, streams, lakes, and ponds.