Ruqayyah Snyder
Australia is home to some of the world's largest crocodiles, with the saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus) being the largest living reptile native to the country. While the population of saltwater crocodiles in northern Australia was reduced by 95% due to unregulated hunting during the 20th century, they now have full legal protection in all states and territories. The world's largest crocodile in captivity, Cassius, who was over 5.48 metres (18 ft) long and weighed more than a ton, lived in Australia until his death in 2024 at the age of 110-120 years. Following Cassius's death, Queensland's largest crocodiles in captivity are Krakatoa and Boss Hog, both measuring around 5 metres long.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Name | Cassius |
| Length | 5.48 metres (18 feet) |
| Weight | Over 1000 kg (1 ton) |
| Age | 110-120 years |
| Location | Green Island, Queensland |
| Status | Deceased |
| Captivity Status | In captivity since 1987 |
| Guinness World Record | Named the world's biggest crocodile in 2011 and 2013 |
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What You'll Learn
The biggest crocodile found in Australia was Cassius
The biggest crocodile ever found in Australia was Cassius, a saltwater crocodile that measured 5.48 metres (18 feet) long and weighed more than a ton (over 1000 kg). Cassius was named the world's biggest crocodile by Guinness World Records in 2013, and he held the world record as the largest crocodile in captivity. Cassius was estimated to be 110 to 120 years old when he passed away in 2024, having lived at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island, off the coast of Cairns, Queensland, since 1987.
Cassius was transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig, who had a close bond with the giant reptile. Cassius was known for his friendly personality and gentle nature, which stood in stark contrast to his fearsome reputation as a younger crocodile, when he rampaged through Australian waterways, attacking boats and stalking cows. Despite his intimidating size, Cassius was described by his keepers as a "sweetheart" with a spark that set him apart from other crocodiles.
In the wild, saltwater crocodiles like Cassius can be found in northern Australia, occupying freshwater creeks, streams, and salt water. They are the largest living reptiles, with males growing up to 6 metres (20 feet) long and weighing between 1000 and 1500 kg. The female crocodiles are much smaller, rarely surpassing 3 metres (9.8 feet) in length.
The species has full legal protection in all Australian states and territories where it is found, including Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. Cassius's death at an advanced age provides valuable insights into the longevity and resilience of saltwater crocodiles, contributing to our understanding and appreciation of these ancient predators.
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Cassius was 5.48m long and weighed over 1000kg
The largest crocodile ever found in Australia was Cassius, who measured 5.48m long and weighed over 1000kg. Cassius was named the world's biggest crocodile by Guinness World Records in 2013 and held the record until his death in 2024.
At the time of his capture, Cassius was the biggest crocodile ever caught alive in Australia. He was transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig, who established Marineland Melanesia in 1969. Cassius lived at the sanctuary for nearly 40 years, becoming a star attraction.
Cassius's size was not the only remarkable thing about him. It is estimated that he was over 100 years old at the time of his death, which is exceptionally old for a crocodile, even one in captivity. In the wild, crocodiles rarely live beyond 70 years. Cassius's advanced age may have been a factor in his declining health, according to the wildlife sanctuary that cared for him.
In addition to his great length and weight, Cassius was also missing his right leg. Despite this, he is remembered fondly by those who knew him, with one of his former keepers describing him as a "sweetheart" with a "spark".
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He was the biggest crocodile ever caught alive in Australia
The title of the biggest crocodile ever caught alive in Australia went to Cassius, a 5.48-metre (18 ft) crocodile weighing more than a ton. At the time of his capture, Cassius was transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig, who had opened Marineland Melanesia in 1969. Cassius was named the world's biggest crocodile by Guinness World Records in 2013 and lived at the sanctuary for nearly 40 years. He was estimated to be over 110 years old when he passed away in November 2024.
Cassius had a close bond with George Craig, who captured him. Craig would quietly sit with Cassius for hours, and in his later years, Cassius would always come over to him when he was near the enclosure. When Craig moved into an assisted living facility in October 2024, Cassius's health started to decline, and he passed away soon after.
Before being captured, Cassius was a fearsome predator that rampaged through Australian waterways, attacking boats and stalking cows. However, he became a star attraction at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island, off the coast of Cairns, Queensland. Despite his fearsome reputation, Cassius was remembered as a "sweetheart" by his former keepers, who noted that he had a spark about him that was unusual for crocodiles.
After Cassius's death, two 5-metre-long crocodiles, Krakatoa and Boss Hog, emerged as Queensland's largest crocodiles in captivity. Both saltwater crocodiles hail from north Queensland's cane paddocks, with Krakatoa living at the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville and Boss Hog at the Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast. While Cassius will always be remembered as the biggest crocodile ever caught alive in Australia, these two new giants now vie for the title of the largest in the country.
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Cassius was named the world's biggest crocodile in 2013
The saltwater crocodile, native to northern Australia, is the largest living reptile. Males can grow up to a weight of 1,000–1,500 kg and a length of 6 m (20 ft), rarely exceeding 6.3 m (21 ft).
Cassius, an Australian crocodile, was named the world's biggest crocodile by Guinness World Records in 2013. He measured 5.48 m (18 ft) long and weighed more than 1000 kg (1 ton). Cassius was transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig and lived at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat. Cassius was estimated to be over 110 years old when he died in 2024, having been in declining health since October 2024.
Cassius was a star attraction at the sanctuary, where he lived for nearly 40 years. He was described by one of his former keepers, Toody Scott, as a "sweetheart" with a "spark". George Craig, who first captured Cassius, formed a close bond with the crocodile, and the two would spend hours together.
Before his capture, Cassius was known to attack boats and stalk cows. After his death, scientists expressed interest in learning more about his age. Cassius was also remembered fondly by the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat, who posted about him on Facebook.
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Queensland's largest crocodiles in captivity are Krakatoa and Boss Hog
Queensland is home to some of the largest crocodiles in Australia. In November 2024, two 5-metre-long crocodiles, Krakatoa and Boss Hog, were reported to be Queensland's largest crocodiles in captivity. Krakatoa, a saltwater crocodile, lives at the Billabong Sanctuary in Townsville and is being promoted as Queensland's biggest crocodile in captivity. Boss Hog, on the other hand, is the other 5-metre crocodile in Queensland, making these two the largest captive crocodiles in the state, following the death of Cassius.
Cassius, a 5.48-metre (18-foot) crocodile, held the Guinness World Record for the largest crocodile in captivity. He weighed over one ton, or more than 1000 kg. Cassius was estimated to be over 110 years old and had been in declining health since October 15, 2024, before his death. He lived at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island near Cairns, Queensland, and was a major attraction there.
Cassius had a unique history, having been captured and transported to Green Island in 1987 by crocodile hunter George Craig, the founder of Marineland Melanesia. He had a close bond with Craig, who spent hours sitting quietly with the massive reptile. Cassius had been known to attack boats and stalk cows in his younger days, but he was remembered fondly by those who worked with him.
With the passing of Cassius, the title of Queensland's largest crocodile in captivity is now disputed between Krakatoa and Boss Hog. Both crocodiles are an impressive 5 metres long, a size that is rarely seen in captivity. While they may not have the length of Cassius, these two crocodiles are an important part of Queensland's wildlife and are sure to be a fascinating attraction for locals and tourists alike.
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Frequently asked questions
The biggest crocodile ever found in Australia was Cassius, who measured 5.48 metres (18 ft) long and weighed more than 1000 kg. He was named the world's biggest crocodile by Guinness World Records in 2013 and died in 2024 at the age of 110-120 years.
Cassius lived at the Marineland Melanesia Crocodile Habitat on Green Island, off the coast of Cairns, Queensland. He had been transported there in 1987 from the Northern Territory.
After Cassius's death, Queensland's biggest crocodiles in captivity are Krakatoa and Boss Hog, who both measure about 5 metres long.
