Crocodiles Mistake Low-Flying Helicopter for Thunderstorm, Triggering Mating Frenzy at Australian Farm

It might be expected that the noise of a low-flying helicopter would cause concern or irritation among animals nearby. However, at Koorana Crocodile Farm in Queensland, Australia where over 3,000 crocodiles call it home, the presence of such a helicopter seemed to signal the mating season for the reptilian residents.

John Lever, the farm's owner, explained that large male crocodiles responded by becoming notably vocal and active, engaging in intense mating behavior once the helicopter had departed. The precise reason for this reaction remains uncertain, but experts suggest that the crocodiles may have mistaken the helicopter for a thunderstorm, a well-known trigger for their heightened activity.

Crocodilian Mating Season

Crocodiles can trace their lineage back to the dinosaur era and have existed for around 200 million years. Among these ancient reptiles, the saltwater crocodile stands as the largest living species, capable of growing up to 6 meters and posing a significant threat to humans. They reach sexual maturity at different ages, with females becoming mature at 12 years and males at 16 years.

Australia's spring months, October and November, are typical mating periods for saltwater crocodiles, coinciding with the rainy season when thunderstorms are frequent in some parts of the continent. During this period, females construct mound nests from vegetation and lay an average of 50 eggs.

The reason for this seasonal mating is to align with the optimal time for egg-laying in a burrow or nest. Mating during the stormy season ensures that when females lay their eggs weeks later, the weather is usually less severe, reducing the risk of eggs drowning in a flood.

The gender of the crocodile hatchlings is influenced by temperature, with incubation temperatures of 28°C to 30°C resulting in 100% female offspring. At 31°C, a balanced mix of 50% female and 50% male hatchlings is observed. A temperature of 32°C leads to all-male hatchlings, and at 33°C to 34°C, female hatchlings vary from 50% to 100%.

The eggs typically hatch after a 75-day incubation period. However, only 25% of eggs on average will hatch, and of these, just 54% of the hatchlings will survive the first year. In the wild, it is estimated that a mere 1% of hatchlings reach maturity.

READ ALSO: First Recorded 'Virgin Birth' in Crocodiles Sheds Light on Evolutionary Origins

How Did the Low-Flying Helicopter Cause A Crocodile Mating Frenzy?

There are several theories regarding why low-flying helicopters might incite a mating frenzy among crocodiles. One possibility is that helicopters mimic the conditions associated with an incoming thunderstorm.

Crocodiles, particularly saltwater crocodiles, time their mating to coincide with heavy rains, which have an aphrodisiac effect on many crocodilian species. Mating during thunderstorms ensures that the subsequent hatching of eggs occurs in less severe conditions, reducing the risk of flooding and drowning.

Another explanation involves the crocodiles' integumentary sensory organs (ISOs), which are sensitive to changes in water movements, atmospheric pressure, and extremely low-frequency sounds. The downdraft from large, heavy helicopters may create pressure changes detectable by crocodile ISOs, resembling the atmospheric changes associated with an approaching storm.

Additionally, the low-frequency vibrations produced by Chinook helicopters could be another factor. These vibrations might simulate sounds made by competing crocodile males during territorial and courting behaviors, such as low bellowing calls or the sound of males slapping the water with their jaws.

However, it's not entirely clear if helicopters alone can trigger crocodile mating responses; crocodiles may also need to sense other cues, like temperature changes, signaling the onset of their traditional mating season, to be influenced by the presence of large aircraft.

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