Henry the crocodile at the Crocworld Conservation Center will turn 124 years old at the end of this year and is the father of over 10,000 offspring over the past few decades.
(Video: Channel 5).
At an estimated age of 123, Henry is the oldest known crocodile in the world. With his advanced age, Henry also boasts a colossal size. The massive crocodile measures over 5 meters from snout to tail and weighs 700 kg, according to IFL Science. In comparison, the average Nile crocodile is about 4.5 meters long and weighs around 410 kg. Despite its name, this species primarily inhabits large areas across Africa.
Scientists believe Henry was born in 1900 in the swamps of the Okavango Delta in Botswana, according to the Crocworld Conservation Center in South Africa, where he has lived since 1985. After arriving at Crocworld, Henry mated with at least six females. Caretakers estimate that he has fathered over 10,000 hatchlings in less than 40 years. Henry’s birthday is celebrated on December 16, making him 124 years old at the end of this year. However, due to being born in the wild, no one knows his exact birth date.
According to the British television program Killer Crocs with Steve Backshall, Henry was captured in 1903 by an elephant hunter named Sir Henry, which is how the crocodile got his name. Henry spent most of his life in the Okavango Delta, as stated on Crocworld’s website. Currently, he shares his habitat with another elderly crocodile named Colgate, estimated to be 90 years old.
Henry the crocodile is of colossal size.
Crocodiles can live to be 100 years old in captivity. Some scientists suggest that certain species of crocodiles exhibit a degree of negligible senescence. This term describes organisms that show no signs of biological aging. Theoretically, crocodiles may not die of old age but rather from external factors such as starvation, accidents, or disease.
Crocodiles have an exceptionally long lifespan, especially compared to other animals of similar size. Various factors contribute to the health of crocodiles, although some research indicates that the reasons may be linked to an unusual assembly of microorganisms in their intestines. Researchers believe that due to the significance of the microbiome to the host’s physiology, the gut microbiota and/or metabolites of crocodiles may produce compounds that contribute to their resilience and longevity.
