Little is known about the specific courtship and mating systems of slender-snouted crocodiles, but they are generally known to engage in sex-specific mating rituals in the water.
Little is known about the specific courtship and mating systems of slender-snouted crocodiles.
In general, crocodilians engage in mating rituals that include sex-specific interactions, performing visual displays to attract potential mates. Females approach males in the water and begin the courtship ritual. During this courtship, crocodilians perform several activities involving swimming around each other and bodily contact. The female may even briefly swim away to encourage the male to chase her before continuing to circle. Following these ritualistic behaviors, the male places his tail under the female’s body for stability in shallow waters and the pair then begins copulation. Crocodilians have been observed copulating on their sides, either with the male on top of the female, or with the female on top of the male.
• Image | ©️ Pandiyan V, Some Rights Reserved (CC BY-NC 2.0)
• Sources | (Grigg & Gans, 1993; Kelly, 2006; King & Dobbs, 2007; Lavinder & Pennington 2012; Waitkuwait, 1989)
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