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Cassius , theworld ’s largest captive crocodile , has died in Australia after his health pop decline in mid - October .
" It is with deep sorrow that we share the passing of our dear Paraguay tea Cassius , " Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat & Gift Shop wrote in aFacebook postannouncing his destruction . " He was more than just a Crocodile , he was a treasured fellow member of our family and get joy and companionship to his right mate George for over 37 years . "
Cassius in his enclosure being fed by George Craig at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat.
The seawater crocodile(Crocodylus porosus ) — who was 17 feet and 11.75 column inch ( 5.48 meters ) long — received theGuinness World Recordas the largest surviving captive crocodile in 2011 . But , as no one measured him since , he could havegrown even bigger . The species cangrow up to 23 ft ( 7 m ) long .
Cassius had survive at Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Australia ’s Green Island since 1987 . He was conquer in the Finniss River , near Darwin , in 1984 because he was acting sharply and induce problems .
" As an solar apex predator , this big crocodile was getting into all sorts of trouble , from catch and eating cattle to attack boat propellor , " Marineland Melanesia ’s representatives wrote on itswebsite . " It is believed this is where and how he sustained his many battle scars , including losing his front left leg , part of his snout and around 15 cm [ 6 in ] off the end of his tail . "
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Cassius Longinus was moved to an " attend to maintenance manse " in Cairns on Oct. 5 and his health come out decline shortly after . He die on Nov. 2 . " He was very old and consider to be living beyond the years of a wild croc , " according to Marineland Melanesia ’s position .
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Although experts are n’t trusted , they cerebrate this massive croc may have been over 120 class old when he died . When he was trip up , Cassius was reckon to be between 30 and 80 year previous . Crocodile growth rates slow down importantly once they reach adulthood .
" There is no way of knowing Cassius ' actual age as he was born in the wilderness and the geezerhood is just an estimate , " Toody Scott , one of Cassius ' keeper at Marineland Crocodile Park , previouslytold Live Science , adding that his natal day " was basically made up . "
Despite his enormous size , Cassius was n’t the largest crocodile ever kept in imprisonment . Thisrecordgoes to a saltwater crocodile named Lolong , who was caught in the Philippines in September 2011 , and measured over 20 ft ( 6.17 m ) before his expiry in 2013 .
