The Australian Wetlands and Crocodile Exhibit

Explore the water’s edge in the Australian Wetlands exhibit. Above and below the surface of the water live a myriad of species. Fish, frogs, turtles, birds, lizards and the world’s largest reptile, the Estuarine Crocodile, are all part of this amazing ecosystem. Visitors are immersed in the sights and sounds of the wetlands.

A boardwalk takes visitors through a huge free-flight aviary and lake complex, thrilling visitors with an array of water birds. Some of the Australian wildlife that can be seen in this exhibit include:

In the entrance to the Wetlands, visitors can meet different frog species and Australia’s most endangered reptile, the Western Swamp Tortoise. Perth Zoo runs a breeding program for this threatened Western Australian tortoise. For information on this breeding program, see the Native Species Breeding Program.

One of the Zoo’s most popular attractions also lives in the Australian Wetlands – a 500 kg Estuarine Crocodile called Simmo.

Simmo’s exhibit features a 4.6 metre long, 32 millimetre thick, water-tight, armourglass window which allows both above and underwater viewing. Simmo is 5 metres long and is free swimming behind the window. Native fish also share his home.

The Crocodile exhibit also features Freshwater Crocodiles which are found adjacent to the Estuarine Crocodile Exhibit. Come along for the special presentation at 12.15pm (Monday – Saturday).

Black Swan  
Swans are the largest of the waterfowls. They have long, slender necks which are longer than their bodies. They are black except for white wing quills and the bill is broad and bright red.

Black-necked Stork  
Black-necked Storks are carnivores and eat fish, frogs, large crustaceans and insects. Jabirus use their bills like swords to impale or snatch prey from the water.

Brolga  
Breeding pairs bond for life. Brolgas engage in dramatic displays involving leaps, head shaking and loud trumpeting.

Darter  
The Darter is a carnivore and eats fish and aquatic animals. It silently submerges itself into the water and stalks unwary fish.

Estuarine Crocodile  
Crocodiles are grey to golden-tan to almost black with a lighter-coloured belly. The crocodile’s back is covered with ridges that provide protective armour, act to conceal the crocodile’s movement below the surface of the water and aid in thermoregulation

Freshwater Crocodile  
Freshwater Crocodiles are more timid than Estuarine Crocodiles. There is no record of an unprovoked attack on humans by a Freshwater Crocodile.

Motorbike Frog  
This frog gets its name from their call which sounds a lot like a motorbike changing gears. They can often be seen in ponds in suburban Perth.

Splendid Tree Frog  
Splendid Tree Frogs have the largest poison gland of all Australian amphibians. This covers the entire back of the frog’s head and is easily visible.

Western Swamp Tortoise  
The Western Swamp Tortoise is the most endangered Australian reptile. Perth Zoo’s Native Species Breeding Program has been breeding Western Swamp Tortoises since the 1990s and has successfully released over 400 into the wild.