Top resources about crocodiles at State Library

By Helen Viller, Librarian, Information and Client Services | 21 November 2025

close up photo of Crocodile at the Australian Crocodile Park

Crocodile at the Australian Crocodile Park, Cairns, 1984. John Oxley Library. Image number 401-21-32 https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE2683324

Whether the extent of your crocodile knowledge comes from Bob Katter’s ‘thousand blossoms bloom’ speech, the entire back catalogue of Steve Irwin’s ‘Crocodile Hunter’ episodes, or you’re a reptile aficionado, there's a fair chance you are holding some misconceptions about these modern dinosaurs. At this month’s Explainer series: Crocodiles event, Professor Craig Franklin unpacked misunderstandings and guided us through a rethinking of the crocodile.

Queensland has a long and complicated history with the endemic crocodile species, with crocodile hunting a popular pastime into the 20th century and crocodile attacks rocking local communities where these predators make their homes. We have had a look through the collections to find some of the top resources State Library holds about crocodiles. No matter where you’re starting from, there’s something there for you!

Queensland memory collection

Crocodile basking on a driftwood log on the beach on Thorpe Island.

Crocodile on Thorpe Island. John Oxley Library. Image number 6670-0001-0007. http://hdl.handle.net/10462/deriv/119148

The John Oxley Library holds a trove of historical photographs of crocodiles and crocodile hunting, dating back to the early 20th century. These photographs document the popularity of crocodile hunting, crocodiles in captivity, crocodiles in art, and more.

Tea towel: Capricorn Region - where the outback meets the reef. John Oxley Library. Item no. 1029 https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE3006833

Among the Glenn R. Cooke Souvenir Textiles Collection are many a crocodilian-themed tea towel. These kitchen artworks include everything from illustrated maps of Queensland, to Indigenous artworks, to a signed photo of Steve Irwin.

Stalking a crocodile near The Hollow. John Oxley Library. Image number raw00079 https://collections.slq.qld.gov.au/viewer/IE4924361

This illustration, from the Rawson Family Archive, was drawn in 1871 and depicts a family dog being stalked by a crocodile, who is in turn being hunted.

Legal deposit

The John Oxley Library also houses published works by Queenslanders, including the children’s books Crocodile story and Hull River Rolley, which each portray the places crocodiles have held in Queensland culture.

Crocodile story by Eva Pootchemunka and Pat Pootchemunka, illustrated by Garry Namponan tells the story of Eva’s attack by a crocodile in North Queensland, and her and her daughter’s incredible survival.

Hull River Rolley by Pamela Galeano, illustrated by Daryl Dickson is a story of magic and family, and a baby crocodile named Rolley who has a twisted tail.

Getting into crocodile science

An introduction to crocodile biology

If you’re looking for a good starting point for building your crocodile knowledge, State Library’s eresource collections have what you need. Biology and evolution of crocodylians is an accessible text combining authoritative reptile knowledge with incredible artwork and photography.

Cover of Biology and evolution of crocodylians by Gordon Grigg and David Kirshner. Image from ProQuest Ebook Central.

For the young crocodile enthusiast

Going back to 2009, National Geographic Kids includes digital copies of the complete run of the magazine, and extras! For the young person in your life who wants to learn more about crocodiles, there’s the 2015 book Alligators and crocodiles by Laura Marsh, accessible on site or with a State Library membership.

Cover of Alligators and Crocodiles by Laura Marsh. Image from National Geographic Kids.

National Geographic

State Library members can access the complete archive of National Geographic magazine via the National Geographic Virtual Library, including this article about Australia’s Saltwater Crocodiles from National Geographic 1996.

Sixteen feet of reptile missile, a saltwater crocodile blasts from the Adelaide River, southeast of Darwin in Australia's Northern Territory. Australia’s saltwater crocodiles cover spread, National Geographic magazine, June 1996. Image from National Geographic Virtual library

Scientific studies from our databases

If what you’re after is more advanced knowledge, the open access journal articles in State Library’s databases are the place to look. Here are just a couple with authorship by event presenter, Professor Craig Franklin:

Cooling down is as important as warming up for a large-bodied tropical reptile.

Diving behaviour of a reptile (Crocodylus johnstoni) in the wild: Interactions with heart rate and body temperature.