In the wake of the passing of Cassius, the world’s largest saltwater crocodile in captivity, researchers are on a quest to unravel the mysteries surrounding this ancient reptile’s true age. The iconic croc, who called Marineland Melanesia on Green Island his home for decades, died mere weeks after his long-time caretaker and best mate, George Craig, retired to the mainland.
Cassius’s exact age has always been a subject of speculation, with estimates placing him at a minimum of 110 years old. Now, as the crocodile community mourns the loss of this record-breaking reptile, experts are determined to piece together the puzzle of his life and longevity.
A Crocodile and His Keeper: An Unbreakable Bond
For 37 years, Cassius and George Craig shared an inseparable bond on Green Island. Craig’s grandson, Toody Scott, suggests that the stress of their separation may have contributed to the crocodile’s sudden decline and ultimate demise.
“It was just a matter of weeks [after Craig left the island] and Cassius started refusing food, and two weeks later we found him unresponsive. Thirty-seven years of living together and a matter of weeks of separation and we lose one of them.”
– Toody Scott, George Craig’s grandson
A Journey Across Australia
Cassius’s journey began in 1987 when croc researchers Graham Webb and Charlie Manolis captured him in the Finniss River, south of Darwin in the Northern Territory. After a short stay at a cattle property, Craig relocated Cassius thousands of kilometers to his new home on Green Island, where he would spend the rest of his days.
Unraveling the Secrets of an Ancient Reptile
With Cassius’s passing, researchers have performed a necropsy, hoping to glean insights into the crocodile’s life and determine his true age. Samples from his femur bone will be analyzed, with rings counted much like those of a tree to estimate his years. Additionally, samples from each major organ have been taken, and his skin and head preserved for further study.
Scott remarked on Cassius’s ancient appearance, noting that some compared him to a living dinosaur. At an impressive 5.48 meters long and weighing over a ton, Cassius was truly a sight to behold.
“What they’re looking at was just the closest thing that they could get to a living dinosaur. He just looked ancient.”
– Toody Scott
An Unlikely Adoption: Cassius and Xena
One of the most remarkable aspects of Cassius’s life was his unique relationship with a hatchling crocodile named Xena. In the 1990s, Craig accidentally left one of Xena’s eggs in Cassius’s enclosure, and upon hatching, the tiny croc was found perched on the giant’s head.
Defying all expectations, Cassius took on the role of surrogate parent, raising Xena for an astonishing 14 years. He would save bits of food in his mouth during feedings, later sharing them with his adopted offspring – a behavior previously undocumented in crocodiles.
A Legacy to Remember
As condolences pour in from around the globe, Marineland Melanesia is determined to preserve Cassius’s legacy. Plans are underway to explore various preservation techniques, allowing visitors to get closer to this iconic crocodile than ever before.
While the world may have lost its largest captive crocodile, the memory of Cassius and the bond he shared with his human companion will endure. As researchers work to uncover the secrets of his extraordinary life, one thing is certain: there will never be another quite like Cassius.
