City dwellers are used to congested traffic slowing down roads, but in Western Australia's north it could well be a crocodile causing the obstruction.

Police in the Kimberley town of Kununurra recently released a photo of a freshwater crocodile caught in the headlights on the main access road into town.

The relatively harmless crocodile species are common in the waterways around the town.

Local Department of Parks and Wildlife officer Matt Byers said the animals often exited the water during the hot wet season nights.

"This time of year with the hotter evenings, it's not uncommon for the animals to get out of the water," he said.

"They're basically trying to cool off, as silly as it sounds.

"So they'll hop out of the water and like any lizard, they're keen to walk."

With no crocodile cross-walks in place, motorists are being asked to drive slowly and carefully around the animals if possible.

But if a reptile is blocking traffic, it is time to call in the experts.

"If it becomes an issue, we can help relocate them and get them off the road," Mr Byers said.

"Fortunately most of the them are freshwater crocodiles and smaller in size, and you can handle them quite easily if you know what you're doing.

"They can obviously still bite but there are ways to do it safely.

"The easiest way is covering the animal, which puts it out of any distress it might be in.

"It's actually an offence to handle them, unless you're licensed, and so we certainly don't recommend for anyone else to do it."