SYDNEY, Feb. 13 (Xinhua) -- Research has found that the behavior of Australia's crocodiles is changing as their body temperature increases with global warming.

The research, which was published on Thursday by the University of Queensland (UQ), analyzed 15 years of data from sensors and trackers on 203 wild saltwater crocodiles in rivers on the Cape York Peninsula, Australia's northernmost point.

Researchers found that the crocodiles are spending more time at or near their critical thermal limit of 32-33 degrees Celsius, at which point their diving and swimming performance is impacted.

The study found that since 2008, the temperature peaks experienced by the crocodiles have increased by 0.5 degrees Celsius and their median body temperature has increased by 0.11 degrees Celsius.

Of the crocodiles that were studied, 45 experienced body temperatures above 34 degrees Celsius at least once.

As cold-blooded animals, crocodiles cannot regulate their body temperature, relying instead on external sources.

Kaitlin Barham, a co-author of the research from UQ's School of the Environment, said that the warming environment means crocodiles are spending more time on cooling behaviors.

"But if their time and energy is dominated by the need to stay cool, activity necessary for hunting, keeping safe from predators or reproducing is reduced," she said on Thursday.

Co-author Craig Franklin said that hotter crocodiles don't dive underwater for as long, which he said could impact their ability to ambush prey.

He said that the next step for the researchers is to study the impacts of the behavior changes on the overall health of the crocodile population. Enditem

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