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Saltwater crocodile vision: the science and the numbers

Crocodylus porosus · Reptiles: all the numbers

Saltwater crocodiles have 3 colour receptor classes (424, 502 and 546 nm), like most people.[1] Their activity pattern is nocturnal.[12][13][14][15]

See it on your photoBack to How do saltwater crocodiles see?
  • 3colour receptor classesMeasured*

The saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) is a reptile. Its eyes belong to the vision type Crocodilian waterline: a horizontal band of sharp vision, a reflective layer and no ultraviolet cone, with the eyes at the waterline. Measured in this species: colour, foveas and night vision. Measured core: measured values on at least 3 of the 6 dials.

This is a simulation built from published eye measurements, not what the animal experiences.

Method: How we know what animals see (the See Like Animals vision engine) · Sources · Last updated . Every value below carries its evidence level and sources; nothing is typed by hand.

What saltwater crocodiles see: colour receptors

Saltwater crocodile colour receptor peaks, 300 to 700 nmSaltwater crocodile: 3 receptor peaks at 424, 502, 546 nm; you: 3 at 421.5, 532, 558.4 nm. ultraviolet300400500600700
Saltwater crocodile: 424, 502, 546 nmPeople: 421.5, 532, 558.4 nmWavelength in nanometres

What stands out

  • It has three colour receptor classes, like most people.
  • Activity pattern: nocturnal.

The six dials

Evidence levels: how the tiers work. "Measured" means a value measured in this species; "Estimated" values come from a close relative or an eye-size formula. The last column gives the values for people from the same catalogue.

Vision values for the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), catalogue-v1
DialValueEvidenceSourcesPeople
ColourColour receptors
3 receptor classes: 424 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 502 nm (MWS (green)), 546 nm (LWS (long))
species-v1.csv value measured in this species (not in tidy tables)
Measured (not re-verified)[1]Colour receptors: 3 receptor classes: 421.5 nm (VS/SWS (violet)), 532 nm (MWS (green)), 558.4 nm (LWS (long)) Measured (not re-verified)[2][3][4][5]
SharpnessNo value in the catalogue.Acuity: 63.75 cycles per degree Measured[6][7]
Field of viewNo value in the catalogue.Binocular overlap: 122.5° Measured[8][9]
Total field of view: 200° Measured (not re-verified)[10]
Blind area behind the head: 160° Derived[10]
Eye placement: frontal Derived[8][9]
Sharp zones (foveas)Number of foveas
0
species-v1.csv text: horizontal visual streak
Measured (not re-verified)[1]Number of foveas: 1 Measured[11]
Fovea type: fovea Measured[11]
Fovea type
visual streak		Measured (not re-verified)[1]
Night visionActivity pattern
nocturnal
mode of 4 rows (of 4 rows): cathemeral; nocturnal
Measured (not re-verified)[12][13][14][15]Activity pattern: diurnal Measured (not re-verified)[12][16][17][2][18][19][20][15]
Pupil shape: vertical Group default[13][21]
Reflective layer (tapetum): no Measured[22]
Rods vs cones: cone-dominated Derived[12][16][17][2][18][19][20][15]
Pupil shape
vertical		Measured[13][14]
Reflective layer (tapetum)
yes		Measured (not re-verified)[23]
Rods vs cones
rod-dominated
nocturnal -> rod-dominated; crepuscular / cathemeral / mixed -> mixed; diurnal -> cone-dominated
Derived[12][13][14][15]
Motion (flicker fusion)No value in the catalogue.Flicker fusion frequency: 60 Hz Measured[24][25]

All reptiles side by side: Reptiles: every measurement. Method: how we know what animals see.

Sources

  1. Nagloo et al. 2016
  2. Longcore 2023
  3. Kirwan
  4. Müller et al. 2009
  5. Thermal Activation and Photoactivation of Visual… 2004
  6. Kirk et al. 2004
  7. Veilleux et al. 2014
  8. Heesy 2004
  9. Heffner et al. 1992
  10. Campbell & Green 1965
  11. Kopania et al. 2025
  12. Anderson et al. 2017
  13. Banks et al. 2015
  14. Oskyrko et al. 2024
  15. Moura et al. 2024
  16. Borges et al. 2018
  17. Wilman et al. 2014
  18. Maor et al. 2017
  19. Jones et al. 2009
  20. Schmitz et al. 2011
  21. Cervino et al. 2021
  22. Guareschi et al. 2025
  23. Standard textbook knowledge
  24. Healy et al. 2013
  25. Inger et al. 2014

Every value cites its sources (all sources). Values were extracted from these works and converted (units, medians, derived values); changes are ours, and the listed sources do not endorse this site. Data: catalogue-v1, built 2026-09-29. Accuracy notes: how accurate is this? Method: how we know.