Living on a reserve in the northeast of Australia, Cassius measured almost 5.50 meters in length. For more than ten years, he held the record for the largest crocodile in the world living in captivity.
His true age was a matter of debate, but one thing was established: Cassius was the largest crocodile in the world that lived in captivity. The giant reptile, which measured nearly 5.50 meters and weighed more than a ton according to Sky News, is dead, the Australian nature reserve where it had resided for almost four decades announced this Saturday, November 2.
Cassius “was more than just a crocodile, he was a precious member of our family,” the Marineland Melanasia Crocodile Habitat, located on Greenland Island, northeast of Australia, wrote on its Facebook account.
In 2011, Cassius became the largest crocodile in the world to live in captivity, according to Guinness World Records. He briefly lost his title the following year to Lolong, a saltwater crocodile living in the Philippines and which measured 6.2 meters long. Cassius regained his title upon Lolong’s death in February 2013.
An animal that attacked livestock and boats
The saltwater crocodile has lived in this reserve since 1987, says the BBC. He had been captured three years earlier in the Northern Territory, where he had a habit of attacking livestock and boats.
Cassius had been purchased by George Craig, the founder of the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat. “He brought joy and companionship to his best friend George for over 37 years,” the reserve said. George Craig, however, had to move on October 5 to live in a retirement home. Ten days later, Cassius’ health began to deteriorate.
At what age did the reptile become extinct? Last year, Cassius celebrated his 120th birthday, but his actual longevity was a source of uncertainty. Interviewed in June 2023 by ABC, crocodile specialist Graeme Webb stated that Cassius was between 30 and 80 years old at the time of his capture.
“It is not impossible that it is more than a century old, perhaps even 120 years old,” he explained.
“It was very old and is believed to have lived much longer than a crocodile living in the wild,” the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat simply stated.
