new_guinea new_guinea small species found island new_guinea geographically isolated populations north south mountain ridge runs centre island past included philippine subspecies today regarded separate species habitat new_guinea freshwater swamps lakes active night feeds fish range small animals female lays clutch eggs nest composed vegetation lies nearby guard nest degree parental care newly hatched juveniles hunted valuable skin mid 20th century conservation measures place lists concern taxonomy etymology new_guinea described american time thought subspecies new_guinea native philippine native islands including authorities consider philippine entirely separate species fact dna data reported shown philippine regard new_guinea constitutes population philippine genus comes greek means worm man referring appearance dorsal surface specific epithet latin means new_guinea common names include new_guinea freshwater singapore large grain air phylogeny follows analysis mitochondrial dna sequences characteristics new_guinea grows length males females specimens smaller body ranges grey brown colour darker tail body noticeable animal grows longitudinal ridges eyes scales neck large scales distinctive features species differences northerly southerly populations morphology skull arrangement scales snout pointed relatively narrow juvenile stages wider animal matures new_guinea bears physical similarity nearby philippine similar freshwater northern australia snout somewhat shorter broader distribution habitat found freshwater swamps marshes lakes new_guinea particularly interior known enter waters estuary rare coastal areas found presence competing animal described area north separate population found southern half island range extends southeastern indonesian provinces west separated northern population mountain range runs centre island dna analysis revealed genetically separate populations estimated new_guinea wild behaviour new_guinea aquatic lifestyle largely nocturnal spend day underwater nostrils eyes surface powerful movements tails propel water use tail legs steer land favour dense areas tend group day night feed females sexually mature metres long males metres eggs laid days mating northern population breeding takes place dry season august october floating nest composed vegetation shallow water location channel edge lake stream clutch eggs laid covered vegetation southern population wet season chosen reproduction nest built similar locations northern nests land smaller number larger eggs laid populations mother stays near nest period lasts days eggs start hatch emerging young vocal male female observed transporting hatching newly hatched young open water carrying mouths newly hatched new_guinea feed aquatic insects spiders freshwater frogs fish small mammals grow size prey consumption fish rises eat worthwhile size find adult diet largely fish caught sweeping snout sideways snapping prey includes crabs frogs snakes birds medium sized mammals catches prey stealth flick head sharp teeth gripping crushing jaws sideways food instead head tossed prey mouth prey surprisingly body upward air catch bats flying birds fish probe mud river swamp snout search crabs adult young new_guinea range adult female produce repeated approached adult young start communicating egg help hatching newly hatched juveniles use warning sound emitted send juveniles diving water adults vicinity respond threats attacks distress noises handled facility observed cause larger animals involved activity rushing juvenile water heads surface status conservation iucn listed vulnerable red list threatened species changed assessment concern time stated animal large area suitable habitat plentiful status included flora cites skin new_guinea valuable 1950s 1960s animals northern population heavily hunted point extinct legislation place received protection period harvest wild skins year 1980s declined eggs collected annually raise largest ranch island initiated change strategy concentrate raising demand eggs juveniles new_guinea dried wild animals controlled indonesia limited belly width wet skins skins belly width eggs removed nest raised similar programme recently initiated southern populations
New Guinea crocodile