Climate-induced shifts in crocodile body temperature impact behavior and performance

Abstract

The increase of energy in the climate system caused by anthropogenic climate change is expected to disrupt predictable weather patterns and result in greater temperature extremes.^1,2 As a result of these climate shifts, El-Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), which drives predictable periods of hot/dry and cool/wet across the Pacific, is expected to increase in variability and magnitude.³ These changes will significantly impact ectotherms, whose performance across a range of behaviors is dependent on local environmental temperatures.⁴ As such, we must understand the way individuals experience climate conditions and how changes in their body temperature (T_b), whether through climate or modification of their thermoregulatory mechanisms,⁵ affect their performance. Laboratory studies have shown that estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) diving and swimming performance is reduced above 32°C-33°C,^6,7,8 temperatures commonly exceeded across their natural range. By monitoring T_b and diving activity in 203 free-ranging estuarine crocodiles over 15 years, we show that the T_b of crocodiles has increased alongside rising air temperatures since 2008, reflecting the climatic shifts caused by the ENSO cycle. As ambient temperatures rose, crocodiles experienced more days close to critical thermal limits (32°C-33°C), at which temperatures the duration of dives was reduced and the prevalence of active cooling behavior was elevated. This study demonstrates that crocodiles are susceptible to multi-year fluctuations in ambient temperature, which requires them to undertake concomitant changes in behavior. They are already close to their physiological thermal limit, but the impact of future predicted rises in temperature remains unknown.

Keywords: acoustic telemetry; climate change; satellite telemetry; thermoregulation.