The largest crocodile associated with Cairns was Cassius, the world's largest crocodile in captivity, who lived at Marineland Melanesia on Green Island near Cairns until his passing in late 2024, measuring nearly 5.5 meters (over 18 feet) long and estimated to be over 110 years old, though he has since died and been taxidermied for display.
Cassius, the beloved 5.55-metre-long saltwater croc, has returned to wildlife park Marineland Melanesia on Green Island off Cairns following his death last year 🐊 His skin and head were sent to a taxidermist in south- east Queensland to be stuffed and preserved.
The Big Crocodile Krys 🐊 Normanton, QLD 🤠 • This big boy is a life-size statue of the largest saltwater crocodile ever caught - Back in July 1957, Australia's largest known crocodile,8.64metres long, was killed with a single shot on the banks of the Norman River🤯 it was crazy to see and think there was ever a croc THIS ...
There are both saltwater and freshwater crocodiles in Cairns, though you won't find these ancient reptiles crawling through the city streets. Like all wild animals, they have their own preferred natural habitats, and they are quite tricky to spot in the wilderness.
The Proserpine River in Queensland's Whitsunday region is considered the most crocodile-infested river by density, boasting around 5.5 crocodiles per kilometer, much higher than Queensland's average, and is known for its large resident crocs, making it a significant hotspot for both tourism and conservation efforts, despite being further south than other croc-heavy areas like Cape York.
Never swim where crocodiles may be present, even if you don't see any signs. Look out for crocodile slide marks on the bank and stay well away from them. When fishing, always stand a few metres back from the water's edge and never clean fish or discard scraps near the water's edge.
Unfortunately, Lolong died on February 10, 2013, due to multiple organ failure. Despite efforts to save him, the crocodile passed away within his enclosure. A subsequent necropsy revealed that pneumonia and a resultant cardiac arrest were identified as primary causes of his death.
Giant Hunter from Ancient Big Bend Swamps
These are among the largest crocodiles ever known. With lengths of 40–50 feet and jaws studded with 6-inch teeth, these powerful predators were extraordinarily equipped to feed upon a variety of dinosaurs.
Back in July 1957, Australia's largest known crocodile, 8.64 metres long, was killed with a single shot on the banks of the Norman River by a Polish immigrant Krystina Pawlowski. The shot made her a worldwide celebrity and earned her the nickname One Shot along with a place in the Guiness Book of Records.
Cassius is huge and he is a true 18 feet long and weighs approximately 1,500 pounds! The largest crocodile ever accurately measured and recorded is Lolong. Lolong was measured at 20 feet 3 inches long. In September 2011, over 100 people worked to bring Lolong into captivity.
The most significant differences between a Nile crocodile and a saltwater crocodile are their size, color, and preferred habitats. Saltwater crocodiles are larger than Nile crocodiles on average, weighing between 400 and 1,150 pounds, while the Nile crocodile averages between 500 and 910 pounds.
At 5.48m long, Cassius has held the title of Worlds Largest Crocodile in Captivity since 2013 when Lolong, at 6.17m long, passed away in the Philippines. Cassius has long been rumoured to be the original 'Sweetheart', or at least responsible for some of his antics..
Their powerful, sharp-toothed bite and their thick, armoured, skin make them one of the most feared predators in the animal world, often only falling prey to really big cats like tigers or lions. Anacondas and pythons sometimes also try their luck in attacking crocodiles too.
In the wild, crocodiles typically have a lifespan ranging from 50 to 70 years. However, this varies significantly depending on factors such as species and environmental conditions. For instance, saltwater crocodiles—the largest of all living reptiles—can live up to around 70 years or more under optimal circumstances.
Death and storage of remains
The necropsy revealed he had died of pneumonia and cardiac arrest, which was aggravated by a fungal infection and stress. In 2017, Lolong's stuffed remains were transported to the National Museum of Natural History in Manila, where it has been on display since its opening in 2018.
Lolong: a male saltwater crocodile captured in the Philippines ( Lake Mihaba )for allegedly attacking and killing a 12 year old girl and local fisherman. He was caught in 2011 using steel cable snares which had to be reinforced, since he had broken multiple of these traps.
Projected from their skull lengths, multiple specimens from Singapore were estimated to belong in life to male crocodiles measuring more than 6 m (19 ft 8 in). A large Vietnamese saltwater crocodile was reliably estimated, based on its skull after its death, at 6.3 to 6.8 m (20 ft 8 in – 22 ft 4 in).
Nile crocodiles don't have any natural predators. Young Nile crocodiles are targeted by many predators, including Nile monitor lizards, African fish eagles, snakes, and honey badgers. The main threat to these crocodiles is humans, causing habitat loss due to land development.
Can you swim in Port Douglas? The amazing crystal clear blue water looks deliciously inviting, we know! But here comes the but. Due to the prevalence of crocodiles and stingers, ensure you only swim at patrolled beaches in between the flags.
You cannot swim in Cairns' ocean beaches safely without protection during stinger season (November to May) due to dangerous marine stingers like box jellyfish and Irukandji; beaches may close entirely, so you must swim in stinger-resistant enclosures or wear a full-body stinger suit. You also must avoid swimming in unmarked areas and rivers due to the presence of crocodiles year-round.
Crocodiles are most active at night, dusk, and dawn. They are also very mobile during and after high tides and heavy rains, so it's vital to be extra vigilant during these periods.