Giant Saltwater Crocodile Weighing Over 1 Ton
Living in Australian Protected Area Since 1987
The saltwater crocodile 'Cassius,' which measured an astonishing length of about 5.5 meters and was recorded in the Guinness World Records as the largest crocodile in the world, has died of natural causes after living for over 110 years.
On the 2nd (local time), the American CNN reported that Cassius, a crocodile living in a sanctuary in Australia, died of natural causes the previous day. Cassius was a massive saltwater crocodile measuring 5.48 meters in length and weighing over 1 ton, and had lived in this sanctuary since 1987. The name Cassius was taken from the pre-name of the legendary boxer Muhammad Ali, Cassius Clay. Cassius was estimated to be over 110 years old and had gradually weakened since the 15th of last month before eventually passing away.
The world's largest captured crocodile, Cassius, estimated to be 110 years old, has died. Photo by EPA Yonhap News
Since 2013, Cassius held the Guinness World Record for the largest captive crocodile in the world. Before Cassius, the record was held by the Philippine crocodile 'Lolong,' which measured 6.17 meters in length. Cassius inherited the record after Lolong died.
The organization that protected Cassius mourned, saying, "Cassius was very old and is believed to have lived beyond the lifespan of wild crocodiles," and "He will remain forever in our memories."
The lifespan of crocodiles varies by species, but it is generally around 30 years on average, and up to about 100 years at the longest. The average lifespan of saltwater crocodiles, which boast the largest body size among crocodiles, is around 70 years.
Meanwhile, the oldest crocodile in the world is the Nile crocodile 'Henry,' who will turn 124 years old this December. Henry was born in December 1900 in the Okavango Delta of Botswana, Africa. In 1903, Henry ate children from a local tribe in Botswana, and the tribe sought help from the famous elephant hunter Henry Neumann. Neumann decided not to kill Henry immediately but to capture him alive and keep him in captivity for life. He eventually succeeded in capturing the crocodile, and the tribe named the captured crocodile 'Henry' in honor of Neumann's achievement.
Henry was moved to the Scottburgh Crocworld Conservation Centre in South Africa 30 years ago, freeing him from a long life in captivity. Over more than 100 years, Henry is known to have fathered over 10,000 offspring. Weighing 699 kg and measuring about 5 meters in length, Henry currently lives peacefully with six female crocodiles.
© The Asia Business Daily(www.asiae.co.kr). All rights reserved.
