WEIGHING more than a ton, measuring an incredible 18ft long, and being some 120 years old – this is world’s biggest crocodile, Cassius.
Now tucked away on an island off the coast of Australia, the monstrous behemoth once prowled the nation’s waterways – attacking boats and snatching cattle.
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The prehistoric beast was officially recognised by Guinness World Record in 2011 as the world’s largest living saltwater croc.
The massive reptile has become the star attraction at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island, off the coast of Cairns, Queensland.
Missing his right leg, he is estimated to be 120 years old, however scientists aren’t sure how old the gnarly beast is.
Cassius briefly lost the title in 2012 to a 20ft saltwater crocodile called Lolong, who was caught in the Philippines.
However, he regained his title after the death of Lolong in February 2013.
Considered a problem croc in 1984, Cassius was captured near a cattle ranch on the Finniss River, southwest of Darwin, in the Northern Territory.
The aggressive croc was accused of snatching cattle and attacking boats.
At the time of his capture, Cassius was estimated to be between 30 and 80 years old, and was the biggest crocodile ever caught alive in Australia.
After he was captured in 1984, he was transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig, who had opened Marineland Melanesia in 1969.
According to professor Grahame Webb, a crocodile researcher who participated in Cassius’ capture, the croc measured at 16ft 10 inches.
He told ABC News: “There was at least another 6 inches of tail missing and a bit of a snout missing.
“He was a big old gnarly crocodile then. Crocs of that size are not normal.”
He said “big crocodiles” were rarely seen back then.
“And nobody had much experience … dealing with them as live animals.
“Trying to catch him was very difficult because you really had to outsmart them.
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“In those days, adult crocodiles that survived the hunting period were very wary.”
Since Cassius was transported to Green Island 35 years ago, he has grown to the 18ft monster that he now is.
According to the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat website, Cassius added three inches to his length between 1987 to 2010.
The website states: “Cassius is a truly beautiful animal, and his personality and appearance is unlike any other crocodile.
“Just by gazing at him you can tell he is wise in his old age, and he likes to keep a close watch on visitors, with his unflinching, golden eyes.”
Cassius isn’t the only crocodile in captivity to make headlines.
A large saltwater crocodile in Western Australia was filmed scaling a fence during a feeding frenzy at a wildlife park.
Shocked visitors were told to prepare to run as they filmed the aggressive reptile.
The incident unfolded at the Malcolm Douglas Crocodile Park in Broome, which is home to more than 600 crocodiles and alligators.
A ranger had been feeding the creatures chunks of meat at the time of its attempted escape.
The beast then climbed back down from the fence and into its enclosure a short time later.
Saltwater crocodiles are larger and more dangerous and aggressive to humans and can grow up to 6 metres in length.
Freshwater crocodiles can reach up to 3 metres in length and have been known to attack people.
Five facts about the saltwater crocodile
- Saltwater crocodiles are the largest crocodile species in the world, and the largest living reptile in the world. Other species of crocodile include: Nile Crocodile, American Crocodile, Freshwater Crocodile, Gharial Crocodile and the American Alligator.
- Male saltwater crocodiles have been recorded at lengths of 23 feet. Females are much smaller, growing to be about 10 feet long. The worlds largest crocodile, Cassius, resides in a wildlife park in Queensland, Australia.
- Saltwater crocodiles communicate using several sounds, including barking, hissing, growling and chirps.
- Crocodiles are as old as dinosaurs. Saltwater Crocodiles are one of the oldest creatures to walk the planet. They first appeared over 240 million years ago, during the time of the dinosaurs. While others have evolved into different shapes and forms, the crocs stuck have stuck to the same structure for the last 200 million years.
- Crocodiles lay eggs. Saltwater Crocodiles breed during the wet season, and females can lay up to 50 eggs, which they build nests for along the nearby river banks. The eggs incubate for around 3 months before hatching. Only 1 per cent of hatchlings survive into adulthood
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