Cassius holds the Guinness World Record for the largest captive saltwater crocodile since 2011, measuring 5.5 meters in length.
Cassius, the largest captive saltwater crocodile in the world, has recently reached an estimated age of 120 years, according to scientists. Determining a crocodile’s age based solely on its size is quite challenging. When crocodiles reach maturity, their growth rate slows down and eventually stops. The largest crocodiles tend to be unusually large during their juvenile stages, and males are always larger than females.
Cassius has an estimated lifespan of around 120 years. (Photo: ABC News)
“There’s no way to know Cassius’ exact age since he was born in the wild, and age is just an estimate,” Live Science reported on June 7, quoting Toody Scott, the caretaker of Cassius at Marineland Crocodile Park on Green Island. The birthday of the nearly 5.5-meter-long saltwater crocodile was established a few years ago, and this time of year is not breeding season for crocodiles in northern Australia.
In 1984, researchers caught the crocodile at a cattle farm in southwestern Darwin, Australia, after the owner reported missing livestock. At the time, Cassius was estimated to be around 30 to 80 years old, making him the largest crocodile ever captured alive in Australia, according to Grahame Webb, a researcher involved in capturing the animal.
Nearly 40 years later, after living on Green Island for 35 years, the giant crocodile continues to grow. Cassius was a challenging catch for Webb and his colleagues in the 1980s. Large crocodiles are prime targets for hunters, making it rare for researchers to study them. Adult crocodiles that survive the hunting season are indeed remarkable. However, Cassius is quite different. While older crocodiles are often shy and aloof, he is one of the most active and engaging crocodiles.
Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) typically live over 70 years, according to the nonprofit conservation organization Oceana. The largest saltwater crocodile ever captured was named Lolong, measuring 6.17 meters, and was found in the Philippines.
