An Interim Method for Estimating the Age of Crocodylus porosus

Abstract

On the basis of a reference series incubated at 30°C, methods for assigning unknown-aged embryos an approximate '30°C age' are derived. Determining real age is confounded by a paucity of information on the nest environment and its influence on embryonic development rate. Preliminary constants relating development rate to temperature (derived from studies with C. johnstoni) were tested with C. porosus and, as an interim measure, have practical utility in both the laboratory and the field.