Cassius, the largest crocodile in captivity in Australia, may be larger than previously known, Live Science reports.
The saltwater crocodile – estimated to be 120 years old – entered the Book of Records in 2011 when it was measured to be 5.48 meters long. However, his keepers haven’t measured him in the last 12 years, which means Cassius could be bigger than previously thought.
“It’s very possible that Cassius has grown since 2011, but we haven’t tried to measure him again,” Toody Scott, one of Cassius’ caretakers at Marineland Crocodile Park (Australia), told the Guinness Book of World Records. “We might try this in the near future to learn about the growth rate of crocodiles, or of course if Cassius’ record is challenged.”
Saltwater crocodiles can reach 7 meters in length, and the previous record holder was a 50-year-old crocodile named Lolong in captivity in the Philippines, who measured 6.17 meters. Lolong was captured in 2012 and dethroned Cassius as the record holder, but died in 2022 and the Australian crocodile regained the world record.
Although he’s twice Lolong’s age, Cassius probably won’t measure up to him. “After they exceed 5 meters in length, the growth rate of crocodiles drops to 1 centimeter per year, and sometimes stops altogether,” says Scott.
At the same time, Cassius could be shorter due to injuries sustained in the wild. When captured in 1984, the giant crocodile had fought with other crocodiles for its territory, but had also attacked boat engines, and was missing pieces of its snout and tail. The missing areas were not included in the 2011 measurement and could have added up to 25 centimeters in length, the Guinness Book of World Records reports.
Cassius’ keepers estimate his year of birth at 1903, based on the size of the crocodiles raised at the park since birth, and say he has many years left to live.
Editor : V.M.
