Rapid Fire
Saltwater Crocodile in Sundarbans
- 23 Aug 2025
- 2 min read
As per the State Forest Department's survey, the population of saltwater crocodiles in the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR) has increased.
- The study highlighted the estimated population of saltwater crocodiles ranges from 220 to 242. Saltwater crocodiles prefer creeks and rivers with high tide widths below 180 meters.
- Saltwater crocodiles are hypercarnivorous apex predators maintaining ecosystem health by feeding on carcasses in water bodies.
- A hypercarnivorous apex predator is the ultimate specialized hunter, existing at the top of its food chain with no natural enemies, and relying on other animals for over 70% of its diet.
- They can tolerate a wide range of water salinity during winter, but increasing salinity may threaten their habitat.
Sundarbans
- Location: The Sundarbans, the world's largest mangrove forest, lies in the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra, and Meghna rivers along the Bay of Bengal, with 40% in India and the remainder in Bangladesh.
- Ecosystem: An ecotone between land and sea in tropical and subtropical regions, featuring a diverse mix of habitats including freshwater swamps, intertidal mangroves, saline forests, and open water.
- Global Recognition: UNESCO World Heritage site in 1987 (India) and 1997 (Bangladesh), and Ramsar site (2019).
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