Study of False Gharial (Tomistoma schlegelii) Habitat Characteristics in Mesangat Wetlands, East Kutai, East Kalimantan

Abstract

Mesangat Wetlands are water areas consisting of swamps, rivers and swamp forests located in Mesaat sub-district, East Kutai, East Kalimantan, which have a role as one of the habitats of the chopstick crocodile (Tomistoma schlegelii). The purpose of this study was to determine the habitat characteristics of the chopstick crocodile (Tomistoma schlegelii) in the Mesaat Wetland, East Kutai Regency, East Kalimantan. The method used is direct observation at night at 18.30-22.30 WITA. This study uses exploration and sampling methods for habitat data consisting of vegetation, water quality, and human activities, food availability. The results obtained by the crocodile chopsticks utilize wetlands and surrounding vegetation as nesting, sheltering and foraging for food. The characteristics of the crocodile chopsticks habitat in the wetlands of Mesangat are located in areas far from human activities, having an average water pH of 7, with an average depth of 2 meters and a water temperature of 26oC. The area is overgrown with vegetation and the pits are covered by thickets of trees and grass which are the preferred place for fish to breed and use by crocodiles as shelter and foraging for food. Nesting places for crocodiles and chopsticks nesting in the wetlands of Mesaat are swamps that are close to the river’s edge and prefer land with lots of leaf litter and twigs and tree shade