110-year-old? Bones to reveal age of world’s largest captive crocodile died in Australia
The world's largest crocodile in captivity died last week in Australia.
Named Cassius, the iconic saltwater crocodile, died at Marineland Melanesia, a popular tourist destination on Green Island, off the coast of Cairns. Interestingly, Cassius was a Guinness World Record holder.
He lived here since 1987 and was estimated to be over 110 years old. However, his exact age remains unknown.
Now, researchers are attempting to unlock the secrets of his long life. By studying his bones, they hope to determine his exact age and gain insights into the biology of these reptiles.
in 1984
Cassius belonged to the species Crocodylus porosus. This species is a large reptile found in saltwater, brackish, and freshwater habitats across Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
Cassius measured 17 feet and 11.75 inches (5.5 meters). However, Cassius was missing a portion of his snout and the end of his tail, likely due to past injuries or encounters. Experts believe that his total length would have exceeded 19 feet (5.8 meters) if these body parts had remained intact.
The giant saltwater crocodile was captured in the Finniss River, located near Darwin, Australia, in 1984. The crocodile was captured after it exhibited aggressive behavior, including attacks on both cattle and boats.
At the time, experts estimated he was around 80 years old.
As crocodiles age, their growth rate slows, making age determination difficult.
As per the ABC report, Australian scientists will perform a necropsy to determine Cassius' exact age. A necropsy is a post-mortem examination of an animal's body.
"There is no way of knowing Cassius' actual age as he was born in the wild and the age is just an estimate," Toody Scott, one of Cassius' keepers at Marineland Crocodile Park, told Live Science .
age determination through bone rings
The accurate determination of the crocodile's age can only be achieved through a post-mortem examination of its bones. It involves counting the growth rings within the bone tissue.
Scientists intend to extract bone samples from Cassius' back and right femur, which will then be sent to a laboratory for analysis to determine his age.
"My plan is to send it to a lab that can cross-section it and look for growth rings, just like in trees," Sally Isberg, founder of the Centre for Crocodile Research in Australia's Northern Territory, told ABC News .
Reportedly, the analysis of the bone samples could take several months to complete. The experts also highlight that there is no guarantee that the growth rings will be sufficiently distinct to provide an accurate age estimate.
Tragically, Cassius passed away mere weeks after his decades-long companion and the owner of Marineland Melanesia, George Craig, relocated to the mainland for aged care.
