Created by Adam Britton © '95-2007
All rights reserved
CROCODILIAN SPECIES LIST
BIOLOGY DATABASE
COMMUNICATION
INTERNET LINKS
Crocodilians: Natural History & Conservation (aka crocodilian.com) is an ongoing project with the aim of providing educational and research information on these incredible archosaurs. This is a personal project which I try to add to as frequently as possible in my available free time, so its development is gradual rather than sudden. Every effort is made to make the information as timely and accurate as possible - this is a labour of love! Contributions are definitely welcome and will be fully credited. Please email me if you would like to help in any way.
There are some exciting developments ahead, so be sure to check back regularly. Again, if there's anything you'd like to see, or if you have any comments on what is currently available, please get in touch. If you would like to discuss use of images, maps, sounds or drawings, email me.
Please be patient if you send an email. I am sometimes away from my computer for several days at a time. Also, marvellous as e-mail can be, things do get 'lost' in the post. Try again if you don't hear anything. Also, please include a valid e-mail reply address! Many replies have ended up bouncing because of incorrect 'return to' addresses - I do try and reply to all mail where possible.
Quick Snap-shots
Assessing a wild mugger croc nest in Sri Lanka with Rom Whitaker
Hugging a crocodile is one of those
defining moments in your life!
Say "eow!" into the microphone
Tastes like chicken
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Dr. Adam Britton
PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS:
B.Sc. (Hons) in Zoology
University of Leeds, UK [1992]
Ph.D. in Zoology
University of Bristol, UK [1996]
RESEARCH INTERESTS:
Crocodile population ecology and conservation management
Crocodilian biology, physiology and behaviour
Crocodile capture, immobilisation and restraint
Bioacoustics and sensory capabilities of crocodiles
Crocodilian blood and immune system
Captive husbandry of crocodilians
Feeding ecology and bioacoustics of microchiropteran bats
Green iguana biology, population ecology, conservation management and captive husbandry
CURRENT POSITION:
2006 - present: Senior Partner, Big Gecko, Crocodilian Research & Consulting
Environmental consultants on crocodile populations and conservation management; scientific and practical support for documentary television, film and radio; research into crocodile biology, behaviour and conservation management; education and tourism
Affiliation: Charles Darwin University (Honorary Fellow), Northern Territory
EMPLOYMENT HISTORY:
1997 - 2006: Senior Researcher, Wildlife Management International
RECENT PROJECTS:
Population surveys and management of crocodiles in Cape York Peninsula; Crocodile exclusion and safety training; Crocodile population dynamics in Kakadu National Park and major NT rivers; genetics and conservation of "pygmy" freshwater crocodiles in upstream escarpments; crocodile movement and distribution using satellite tracking; conservation management of long-lived freshwater crocodile populations; immunology of C. porosus; mechanics of crocodile bites; bacteriology of crocodile bites; applying GIS to nesting ecology and population movement
KEY PUBLICATIONS:
Britton, A.R.C., 1992. Feeding behaviour of the little egret (Egretta garzetta) around fish ponds in Mai Po, Hong Kong. Hong Kong Birdwatching Report, 1992
Britton, A.R.C., 1995. Synchronous echolocation and high-speed video analysis of attempted prey capture in Daubenton's bat, Myotis daubentonii. Abstract of paper presented at the 10th International Bat Research Conference, Boston, 1995. Bat Research News 36: 52.
Britton, A.R.C., Jones, G., Rayner, J.M.V., Boonman, A., Verboom, B., 1997. Flight performance, echolocation and prey capture in the pond bat, Myotis dasycneme (Chiroptera: Vespertilionidae). J. Zoology, Lond. 241: 503-522
Britton, A.R.C., 1997. Flight Performance, Echolocation and Prey Capture in Trawling Myotis bats. Ph.D. thesis.
Britton, A.R.C. & Jones, G., 1999. Echolocation behaviour and prey capture success in foraging bats: laboratory and field experiments on Myotis daubentonii. J. exp. Biol. 202(13): 1793-1801
Britton, A.R.C., Ottley, B. & Webb, G.J.W. (1999) A report on the helicopter surveys of Crocodylus porosus in the Northern Territory of Australia. In: Crocodiles. Proceedings of the 14th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group, Singapore. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.
Webb, G.J.W., Britton, A.R.C., Manolis, S.C., Ottley, B. & Stirrat, S., 2000. The recovery of Crocodylus porosus in the Northern Territory of Australia: 1971-1998. Pp. 195-234 in: Crocodiles. Proceedings of the 15th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group, Varedero, Cuba. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.
Farlow, J.O. and Britton, A.R.C., 2000. Size and body proportions in Alligator mississippiensis: implications for archosaurian ichnology. Pp. 189-206 in 2000 International Dinosaur Symposium for Kosong County in Korea, ed by Yuong-Nam Lee, Special Publication 4,
Paleontological Society of Korea.
Britton, A.R.C., 2001. Juvenile crocodilian vocalisations: general characteristics and the effect of scaling on the distress calls of Crocodylus johnstoni. Pp. 364-377 in Crocodilian Biology and Evolution. Grigg, G. G ., F. Seebacher and C.E. Franklin (Eds). Surrey Beatty & Sons: Chipping Norton, Australia.
Britton, A.R.C., 2002. International private sector and amateur interest in conservation of the Chinese Alligator. Pp. 352-354 in Status Quo and Future of Conservation for Chinese Alligator and Crocodiles in the World. Proceedings of: International Workshop on Conservation and Reintroduction of Chinese Alligator (Hefei City, Anhui Province, China; 25-28 August 2001); and, the International Workshop on Captive Breeding and Commerce Management in Crocodylia (Guangzhou, Guandong Province, China; 30 August - 3 September 2001). SFA: China.
Britton, A.R.C., Diamond, G., Laube, D. and Kaiser, V., 2002. Antimicrobial activity in the blood of the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus). [abstract presented by G. Diamond at the 16th Working Meeting of the IUCN/SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, Florida, USA, October 2002]
Manolis, S.C., Webb, G.J.W. and Britton, A.R.C., 2002. Crocodiles and other reptiles: bioindicators of pollution. Pp. 65-69 in The Finniss River; a Natural Laboratory of Mining Impacts - Past, Present and Future. ANSTO: Sydney.
Manolis, S.C., Webb, G.J.W., Britton, A.R.C. Jeffree, R.A. and Markich, S.J., 2002. Trace element concentrations of wild saltwater crocodile eggs. Pp. 58-61 in The Finniss River; a Natural Laboratory of Mining Impacts - Past, Present and Future. ANSTO: Sydney.
Britton, A.R.C., 2003. Crocodiles, alligators, caimans, gharials. Pp 101-108 in Grzimek's Animal Life Encylopedia 2nd Edition- Reptiles (Vol. 7). Thomson Gale.
Britton, A.R.C. and Matsuda, A., 2004. The increasing role of the internet in crocodilian conservation. Pp. 325-339 in Crocodiles. Proceedings of the 17th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group, Darwin, Australia. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.
Packett, B., Ford, P., Lever, J., Britton, A.R.C., Manolis, C., Bredl, R. and Watson, S., 2004. Persistent organic pollutants in eggs of the Saltwater Crocodile from tropical Australia: a preliminary survey (publication unknown)
Dasari, P., Britton, A.R.C., Manolis, C. and Currie, B.J., 2004. Inhibition of growth of Burkholderia pseudomallei by Saltwater Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) serum. (publication unknown)
Bates, L., Webb, G., Richardson, K., Britton, A.R.C., Bar-Lev, J. and Manolis, C., 2004. "Pancuronium bromide" - an immobilising agent for crocodiles. Pp. 447-451 in Crocodiles. Proceedings of the 17th Working Meeting of the Crocodile Specialist Group, Darwin, Australia. IUCN: Gland, Switzerland.
Farlow, J.O., Hurlburt, G.R., Elsey, R.M., Britton, A.R.C., and Langston, W.R., 2005. Femoral dimensions and body size of Alligator mississippiensis: estimating the size of extinct mesoeucrocodylians. Journal of Vertebrate Paleontology 25: 354-369.
Caldicott, D.G.E., Croser, D., Manolis, C., Webb, G., Britton, A.R.C., 2005. Crocodile attack in Australia: an analysis of its incidence and review of the pathology and management of crocodilian attacks in general. Wilderness and Environmental Medicine: Vol. 16, No. 3, pp. 143-159.
Merchant, M. and Britton, A.R.C., 2006. Characterization of serum complement activity of saltwater (Crocodylus porosus) and freshwater (Crocodylus johnstoni) crocodiles. Comp. Biochem. Physiol. A Mol. Integr. Physiol. A. 143(4): 488-493
Britton, Adam and Swofford, Jen, 2006. Green Iguanas: A Complete Guide to Iguana Iguana. TFH Publications, 128pp
OTHER ACTIVITIES:
Adam has worked on nearly 90 natural history documentaries, plus feature films, radio shows and news reports; his role includes development, scientific advisor, presenter, logistical support, animal wrangler, script writer, cinematographer, editor and composer. Adam has worked with virtually every major and freelance documentary company over the years, appeared on major terrestrial and cable channels, and been involved in most of the key crocodile documentaries since 1997. For more information on documentary production please visit our specialist company Big Gecko.
Credited programmes include: "Ultimate Guide to Crocodiles" (Green Umbrella Films, Discovery Online), "Untamed Australia" (Téléimages), "Ocean Tales: Crocodiles" (Segment Film Productions), "Triumph of Life" (Green Umbrella Films), "Saltwater Crocodiles" (Thelassa France), "Reptiles: In Cold Blood" (Partridge Films, Big Red Film Services), "The Keepers of the Planet" (Transglobe Films), "The Great Croc Trail" (Partridge Films), "Crocodile Secrets" (Living Proof, BBC Science / Discovery), "Crocodile Wranglers" (Michael Hoff Productions), "Walking with Dinosaurs" (BBC Science), "Weird Nature" (John Downer Productions), "Ripley's Believe it or Not" (Woodridge Productions), "Crocodile Dundee in L.A." (Bangalow Productions), "Wild Gold" (ZED, France), "Supercroc" (National Geographic Television), "Killer Jobs" (Termite Art), "Dragons Alive" (BBC NHU), "Loch Ness" (BBC Science), "Australasia" (BBC NHU), "Animal Face-Off" (NHNZ), "Revenge of the Crocodiles" (BigWave TV), "Life in Cold Blood" (BBC NHU), "Maximum Crocodile" (National Geographic Television). Email me for more information.
Adam regularly lectures at various levels from international courses in crocodilian management to local community groups, and provides training to a range of clients.
Developed Chinese Alligator Fund for IUCN-SSC Crocodile Specialist Group, part of a successful international and Chinese effort to secure new habitat for reintroduction.
Principal author "Captive Care of the Green Iguana" video (Scimitar Film Productions)
Scientific consultant and content provider for Clyde Peeling's Reptiland exhibit "The Beautiful & the Deadly" (crocodile acoustic communication). Content provider for Science Museum of Minnesota's exhibit "After the Dinosaurs"
Web authoring & design: Crocodilians: Natural History & Conservation, Iguana iguana Bibliography, Wong's Green Iguana Heaven.
Musician since 1988
BRIEF BIO:
I first became fascinated by betoothed crocodyliforms when I was about 5 or 6 years old, and so began an obsession which captivated my imagination and encouraged me to learn everything I could about life on the sharp end of archosaur evolution. Eventually my thoughts turned to a career which brought me closer to being bitten by these awesome beasts, and I headed towards veterinary research and zoology. I followed the latter career path and the incredible world of natural systems and adaptive animal lifeforms was opened up to me. After examining the culinary exploits of egrets and the ways in which mantises avoided being preyed upon by bats, I completed my degree in 1992. My studies on mantises opened up the amazing, aural world of bats to me, and a PhD ensued to try and learn just what a bat sounds like with a mouth full of moth. At age 25 I then moved to Australia to pursue my original dream of working on creatures generally even more despised than bats - crocodiles. Changing these perceptions has and always will be one of my important goals. During my first year in crocodile country, I gained a huge amount of experience working on a diverse array of research and field projects ranging from population ecology and survey techniques, to breeding biology and conservation management. I discovered that once bitten, there was no turning back, and in April 1998 I took up a position to work on the Northern Territory's crocodile program, together with a number of ongoing research projects concerned with biology and ecology of Crocodylus porosus. In 2006 I left my former employer to pursue a freelance career with my wife Erin (who is just as obsessed with crocodiles as I am) and we established Big Gecko. They say that if you are motivated enough, almost anything is possible. I rest my case. You can contact me via email or by post at: PO BOX 925, Sanderson NT 0813, Australia.
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