It’s not every day you hear about a creature that may have survived two world wars, the invention of the internet, and possibly even outlived your great-grandparents!
Cassius wasn’t just any crocodile; he was the Guinness World Record holder for the largest captive crocodile since 2011, measuring an astounding 17 feet and 11.75 inches (that’s 5.48 meters for those keeping score). When I first saw a photo of him, I thought, “Crikey! That’s not a croc—that’s a living submarine with teeth!”
Captured back in 1984 from the Finniss River near Darwin, Cassius had quite the reputation. This wasn’t a croc content with basking on riverbanks; he was the apex predator who decided cattle were fair game and boat propellers were chew toys. Locals had enough of his antics—imagine having to replace your boat motor because a crocodile fancied a nibble! With numerous battle scars, including a missing front left leg, part of his snout, and about six inches off his tail, Cassius was the embodiment of “been there, done that.”
He found a new home at Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island in 1987, where he spent the next 37 years as the star attraction and a cherished member of the family. George Craig, the man who became his best mate, treated Cassius like a scaly son. They say you can’t teach an old dog new tricks, but apparently, you can share companionship with a century-old crocodile.
Now, here’s where things get even more fascinating. Experts couldn’t pin down his exact age—after all, it’s not like he came with a birth certificate. When he was captured, estimates of his age ranged from 30 to 80 years old. Considering that crocodiles’ growth rates slow significantly once they reach adulthood, and given his massive size and the decades he lived in captivity, it’s not a stretch to think he could have been pushing 120.
To put that into perspective, Cassius might have been born around the time the Wright brothers were tinkering with their first airplane. Imagine a creature that has seen more of history than most of us ever will. He was like the Methuselah of the crocodile world!
Despite his size, Cassius wasn’t the biggest croc ever recorded in captivity. That title goes to Lolong, another saltwater crocodile from the Philippines, who measured over 20 feet (6.17 meters) before his death in 2013. But let’s be honest, size isn’t everything. Cassius had character, a storied past, and a legacy that’s hard to match.
As we bid farewell to this ancient titan, I can’t help but think about the incredible life he led. From ruling the rivers of Northern Australia to becoming an ambassador for his species, Cassius was a reminder of the wild wonders our world holds. They say “old soldiers never die; they just fade away.” Perhaps the same can be said for old crocodiles.
Rest in peace, Cassius. You were one for the ages—literally.
